The present invention is directed to methods and compositions for making dough-based bakery foods, such as bread having extended mold-free shelf-lives, using new antimicrobial powders comprising an antimicrobial agent dispersed in a carrier. The invention is also directed to methods and compositions for preparing dough-based bakery products, such as bread, having long mold-free shelf-lives, by treating the surface of the dough with the antimicrobial powder. Further, the invention is concerned with bakery products having long, mold-free and anti-staling shelf-lives.
