Why did many consumers express initial worry or resistance toward Rohwedder's newly available pre-sliced bread?

Answer

They feared the bread would deteriorate and go stale much quicker due to increased air exposure.

Despite the immediate appeal of convenience, initial consumer reaction to pre-sliced bread was marked by skepticism rooted in established habits regarding food preservation. Before slicing, the thick crust provided a natural barrier that protected the soft interior crumb from drying out quickly. When bread was commercially sliced, a substantially larger surface area of the soft interior was immediately exposed to the ambient air. Consumers correctly perceived that this increased exposure would accelerate the staling process, leading them to favor the whole loaves which, when stored appropriately, maintained their moisture content for a longer duration than the newly sliced product.

Why did many consumers express initial worry or resistance toward Rohwedder's newly available pre-sliced bread?

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