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| Does sugar spoil? | to Top |
The answer below is true. Actually, sugar can decrease "water activity" so much that nothing can grow. However, sometimes a thin solution may form due to moisture in the air. If it constantly accelerates, after much time [much much much time] you may get some fermentation and deterioration. However, more importantly you can have moisture "cake the sugar" and so it will be hard to use it, even though still safe.
The Sugar Association, Inc. Fast Facts About Sugar 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. 202/785-1122
No. Granulated sugar will last indefinitely if stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Being 99.9+% pure carbohydrate, sugar is a very low moisture food. Bacteria and other micoorganisms cannot grow in this dry environment. In foods such as preserves and jams, sugar removes the water required for bacteria for growth.Updated: Saturday, December 29, 2007.
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