Bugs in flour.

Asked on 10 Jun 2017 by jeanette

Hi,
How do I store white flour to prevent bugs?
Should I freeze it in original paper wrapping or do I need to further cover it with a freezer bag? Would cling film over the original paper do? I wanted to know does freezing need to b done to kill possibly of bugs or can I pour it straight into a glass jar?

Lindsey, Food Editor replied

Hello,

We buy flour in small quantities, store it in a cool dry place and try to use it within the use by date.

Once opened we use a big bag clip to keep it sealed but you can, if you want to, put it into a food bag or storage container as well.

Yes you can freeze flour to store it longer. If you want to freeze your flour to kill of weevils, freeze it when you first buy it.

Any bugs that you find in flour are likely to have been there from the time the eggs were laid on the wheat. The eggs can survive the milling and then hatch when it’s warm and humid or enough time has passed.

If you have any flour with a visible infestation we would suggest that you discard it.

Kind regards

Lindsey