Everyone has probably found mold on food at home at least once. And it doesn’t always appear only after the expiration date – improper storage conditions or excess humidity can also cause mold to grow.
Some people tend to cut off the moldy parts and keep eating the product, but mold in food can be harmful to your health. So, let’s look at whether mold on food is always dangerous and what you should do if you accidentally eat it.
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Mold on food: what dangers are hidden?
What is mold? The mold you see on food is actually microscopic fungi that reproduce through spores spreading in the air. Once these spores penetrate the surface of food, it starts to change color and may look dusty or fuzzy.
Why is mold on food harmful? Some types of mold that grow on food produce mycotoxins, which can be dangerous to human health. Long-term consumption of these toxins may harm the immune system, damage the liver, increase the risk of allergies, and even encourage the growth of unwanted bacteria alongside the mold.
What to do if you ate mold?
Sometimes we might not even notice that we’ve taken a bite of moldy food. Let’s look at what to do if you eat mold and what signs you should watch out for.
When should you not worry?
You can be completely at ease if you ate food that is supposed to contain mold, such as blue cheese. In all other cases, it’s best to stay alert and pay attention to how you feel. Extra caution is needed if you have a mold allergy.
When should you watch for symptoms?
The most common symptoms that may occur after eating mold include:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- stomach discomfort
- abdominal pain
- headaches
- allergic reactions such as rashes, coughing, or others
Even if symptoms go away quickly or you don’t feel any at all, it doesn’t mean mold isn’t harming you. Mycotoxins can build up in the body, and their effects may only become noticeable later.
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel nauseous, start vomiting or have diarrhea and abdominal pain, you should drink plenty of water to help flush the toxins out of your body. If the symptoms don’t go away or become more severe, see a doctor. You should also seek medical help if you notice difficulty breathing or experience strong allergic reactions.
Which foods with mold are unsafe to eat?
Any type of food can grow mold. However, it develops much faster when stored in conditions favorable to mold: warm, dark, humid places, or where bacteria are present. Let’s go over the foods where mold is most commonly found and whether they are safe to eat or not.
Bread and similar products
Mold often appears on bread, rolls, and loaves. Some people cut off the moldy part and keep eating the rest. But is that safe? The answer is no – eating such bread is not recommended, because mold can spread deeper into the food than what is visible to the naked eye.
Liquid products and dairy
Soup or drinks can also develop mold. In such cases, you should not consume liquid foods at all – throw them away immediately, as the mold will already be spread throughout the liquid.
This also applies to products like yogurt or sour cream – if you notice mold on them, discard them right away, as they are not safe to eat.
Fruits and vegetables
If the produce is firm and the moldy spot is small, you can cut it off and safely eat the rest. However, it’s important not to let the knife touch the mold itself, as it can contaminate the clean part of the food.
Cheese
Cheese can be hard, soft, or mold-ripened. Mold-ripened cheeses are, of course, safe to eat.
Hard, dry cheeses are generally resistant to mold. If you spot a little mold on a hard cheese, cut it off along with about a 1 cm slice of the surrounding area, and the rest can still be eaten.
It’s a different story with soft cheeses, such as spreadable ones. If you notice mold on these, discard them immediately – they are not safe to eat.
Meat products
Sausage and other meat products with mold should be thrown away, as mold in these foods produces toxins. Even if the mold is visible only on a small part of the product, it’s not worth the risk.
The exception is mold-ripened sausages, which are specially made that way and are safe to eat.
Jams
Most people have probably seen a layer of mold on the surface of jam. Can you just remove it and keep eating the jam? You can, but the mold should be taken off together with a few centimeters of the jam underneath. Since jams and marmalades contain a lot of sugar, it acts as a preservative. However, keep in mind that the mold will return again after a few days.
How to prevent mold in food and at home?
As mentioned earlier, mold thrives in warm and humid environments, which means a clean, well-ventilated kitchen is far from ideal for it. One of the key preventive steps is to make sure that moisture doesn’t build up in the kitchen, that air circulates properly, and that ventilation is good.
Proper food storage is also very important:
- keep moldy foods separate from fresh ones
- after throwing away moldy products, clean the area where they were stored using natural mold removers such as vinegar, baking soda, or citric acid
- use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags
- keep your refrigerator at 0–5 °C and your freezer at around –18 °C
- regularly clean refrigerator shelves, cupboards, drawers, bread boxes, and other storage areas
- plan your grocery shopping so you don’t buy more than you can consume in time (if you notice excess products, freeze them)
If mold appears not only in food but also around the house, you can first try simple home methods to remove mold. However, if the problem keeps coming back or spreads, professional help is necessary.
Need professional help with mold removal?
Mold on food is a health risk. Even a small amount can be dangerous, so it’s best to avoid it altogether. And if mold is spreading in your home, contact professional mold removal specialists to make sure it is eliminated for good.
