Mold is a type of fungus that can grow on various types of food, causing decay and an unappealing taste and texture.
While some mold is safe to consume in certain foods, mold found in other foods can cause allergies, respiratory issues, or produce mycotoxins with potential health risks.
Foods most susceptible to mold growth are fruits, vegetables, bread, dairy products, meat, poultry, nuts, seeds, and leftovers.
If you find mold on your food, it is generally best to discard it, especially if it’s soft, as mold could have infiltrated below the surface.
Proper storage, handling, and hygiene practices may help reduce the risk of mold growth in food.
Introduction
Mold on food is a common issue that most households encounter. While it certainly isn’t appetizing, it often raises questions. The concern usually is if there are any threats linked to consuming it by mistake. In this article, we will try to answer such questions. We’ll discuss about mold, how it grows on food, and its impact on our health. By the end, you’ll know how to manage moldy food. You’ll also learn how to reduce its occurrence. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Mold exposure can cause allergic reactions, such as sneezing, runny nose, and skin rash. source: EPA
People with allergies and asthma are more susceptible to mold-related health problems. source: CDC
Mold exposure during the first year of life may increase the risk of childhood asthma. source: NIH
Understanding Mold
In this section we will discuss about what mold is, how it spreads and grows, and its usual types found in food. The more you learn about mold, the more you’ll be equipped to avoid it.
What Is Mold?
Mold is a tiny, living organism called a fungus. It has hair-like structures known as hyphae. These hyphae form colonies we can see on many surfaces, even foods. Mold loves warm, wet spots and gets its nutrients by breaking down the substance it lives on.
How Mold Grows and Spreads?
Mold reproduces via spores. These spores can fly through the air and spread to other areas. They are very tough and can flourish in a broad range of settings. When they land on a proper surface with adequate water and organic material, mold begins to grow. Then it spreads even more.
Types of Mold Commonly Found in Food
Several mold types can contaminate food. The common ones are Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, and Rhizopus. Some molds, like in blue cheese, are used intentionally in making food. Others lead to food spoilage and might harm our health.
Here’s a quick list of common mold types and the foods they grow on:
Type of Mold
Common Foods It Grows On
Aspergillus
Grains, nuts, spices, fruits, and vegetables
Penicillium
Cheese (blue cheese, Camembert, etc.), bread, and other food items
Fusarium
Grains, such as wheat, barley, and maize
Mucor
Fruits, vegetables, and dairy products
Rhizopus
Bread, baked goods, and soft fruits and vegetables
Mold in Food
In this section we will discuss which foods are most likely to get moldy, the role bacteria play in spoiling food, and times when we use mold on purpose in making food.
Common Foods That Can Grow Mold
Some foods are more likely to get moldy due to their high moisture content and structure. Below we have listed some food categories where it’s more common to see mold growth.
1. Fruits and Vegetables
Mold can find its way into fruits and vegetables pretty easily. Because of their high water content. Soft fruits like strawberries, grapes, peaches, and tomatoes tend to get more moldy than firm ones like apples, bell peppers, and carrots.
2. Bread and Baked Goods
Mold loves porous things like bread and baked goods. It spreads through them quickly. Bread without preservatives is more prone to getting moldy.
3. Dairy Products
Soft dairy products like yogurt, sour cream, and soft cheeses can get moldy. However, some hard cheeses are less likely to have mold if stored correctly.
4. Meat and Poultry
Mold can grow on meat and poultry. This is particularly true when exposed to air and moisture. Storing these items right and keeping them cold may reduce the risk of mold growth.
5. Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds can have mold unless stored in proper containers in cool, dry spots.
6. Leftovers
Leftover food, if not properly packed and consumed within a decent time frame, can have mold.
Eating mold toxins, especially those made by certain molds, might cause problems with your brain causing neurological disorders. In serious cases you might even develop brain diseases like Parkinson’s.
Food doesn’t just get moldy. It can also get contaminated by harmful bacteria. This can lead to illnesses linked to bad food. The symptoms of these illnesses include feelings of sickness, loose stools, and throwing up. How bad it gets depends on the type of bacteria, the amount ingested, and the health of the person.
Mold in Food Production
While making some food items, we use mold intentionally. But sometimes, food may get tainted with mold by accident during production.
Purposeful Use of Mold in Certain Foods
We use certain molds on purpose for certain food items. Like blue cheese, brie, and camembert. They use specific molds like Penicillium roqueforti and Penicillium camemberti. They give these cheeses their unique tastes and textures. These molds are harmless as they can’t give off bad mycotoxins.
Accidental Contamination
Food can get unintentionally tainted with mold during its production steps. These include growing, picking, storing, and processing. That’s why keeping things clean, storing food correctly, and checking the quality is very important in the food industry.
Health Risks Associated with Eating Mold
Getting exposed to mold can lead to several health risks. These include allergies from mold, health problems related to mycotoxins, and food poisoning. Here, we will discuss about these risks in more detail.
A lesser-known fact is that some molds produce mycotoxins that can survive the cooking process. Research has shown cooking methods like roasting and extrusion processing can greatly reduce the amount of mycotoxins in food, but they might not remove them entirely. Even if you cook moldy food, these toxins may still be present and can pose health risks if ingested. Therefore, it’s important to discard moldy food rather than attempting to salvage it through cooking.
Some people are allergic to mold. When they get exposed to mold, they show allergic reactions. Symptoms can be sneezing, watery nose, red or watery eyes, and skin rash or hives.
Symptoms of Mold Allergies
Common symptoms of a mold allergy are as follows.
Sneezing
Stuffed nose
Runny nose
Red, itchy, or teary eyes
Rash or hives
Coughing and shortness of breath
Hard time breathing (in severe cases)
Managing Mold Allergies
If you’re suffering from mold allergies, you should reach out to a health professional to get the right management. Based on how severe your allergies are, your doctor might suggest antihistamines, corticosteroids, or shots to manage your symptoms. Also, you will be advised to remove contact with the allergen in this case it is the mold.
Mycotoxins and Their Effects on Health
As discussed before, some molds can give off harmful mycotoxins. These toxins can affect health in the short and long term. It depends on the amount taken and the time of exposure.
Common Mycotoxins Found in Food
The following are common mycotoxins found in food.
Aflatoxin: Produced by specific Aspergillus-type molds and discovered in grains, nuts, and spices.
Ochratoxin: Made by certain Aspergillus and Penicillium type molds, often tainting grains, coffee beans, and dried fruits.
Patulin: Created by some Penicillium and Aspergillus type molds, taints fruits and fruit juices, especially Apple products.
Zearalenone: Produced by Fusarium molds and usually found in cereals like corn, oats, and wheat.
Potential Health Risks of Mycotoxins
Some potential health risks related to eating mycotoxins are as follows.
Acute poisoning: High levels of exposure to mycotoxins might cause issues with the stomach, liver, and kidney damage, and even death in severe cases.
Chronic toxicity: Long-term, low-level exposure to mycotoxins may cause a weaker immune system, hormone imbalances, and a higher risk of cancer.
Food Poisoning Caused by Mold and Bacteria
Sometimes, eating moldy food by mistake can result in food poisoning. The culprit might be the mold itself or harmful bacteria that grew together with it. Symptoms of food poisoning can include feeling sick, throwing up, loose stools, and stomach ache.
Symptoms of Food Poisoning
Feeling sick
Throwing up
Loose stools
Stomach ache
Fever and cold
Weakness and dizziness
Management and Recovery
If you suspect you have food poisoning, you should visit the health professional. Depending on how severe the symptoms are, management might include staying well-hydrated, replacing lost salts, and in some cases, taking antibiotics medications. Usually, people get over food poisoning within a few days if they take proper rest and care.
What to Do If You Find Mold on Your Food?
1. Foods You Can Salvage
Upon seeing mold on these items, you can possibly salvage the clean parts (provided the mold hasn’t spread all over):
Hard Cheese (except blue cheese types)
Firm Fruits and Vegetables
2. Foods You Should Discard
If you find mold on these items, it’s better you throw them out altogether.
Soft Cheese
Bread and Baked Goods
Meat and Poultry
Soft Fruits and Vegetables
Leftovers
How to Avoid Mold Growth in Food
By using the right ways to store food and by managing food and maintaining good hygiene, you may reduce the odds of mold growth.
1. Proper Food Storage Techniques
The first step to keeping your food free of mold is proper storage. Here are some tips.
Refrigeration and Freezing: Put items that can go bad in the fridge or freezer to keep mold from growing.
Airtight Containers: Keep your food in clean, tightly sealed boxes to cut exposure to airborne mold spores.
Food Storage Times and Shelf Life: Be aware of how long different foods can stay safe and try to eat them within that period.
2. Food Handling and Hygiene Practices
Keeping your kitchen spotless is crucial to stop your food items from getting moldy.
Washing Hands and Kitchen Surfaces: Make washing your hands and cleaning tops, boards, and tools a routine. It may help reduce the chances of mold and bacterial growth.
Cooking Food Thoroughly: Be sure to cook your food to the right temperature. It may help kill potential mold spores or bacteria.
Handling Leftovers: Store leftovers promptly in airtight containers and put them in the fridge. This may help reduce mold growth and spoilage.
Conclusion
Mold is a common issue found in many food items. While some molds are safe and used on purpose in making foods, most infestations can lead to health risks. Knowing the types of mold, their effects on our health, and how to avoid their growth may help keep you safe.
By keeping the places where food is stored tidy, managing food the right way, and maintaining good hygiene, you may reduce mold growth. If you are not sure about a food item then throw out moldy food to reduce the risk of health issues. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to eating moldy food.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it safe to eat moldy bread?
No, it’s generally not safe to eat bread with mold. That’s because mold can go deep into the bread. Once you spot mold, throw out the entire loaf to avoid health risks.
Can you eat cheese if it has mold on it?
In some cases, like hard cheeses, it might be okay to eat the cheese. Just carefully remove the moldy sections. However, for soft cheese, throw out the entire piece if you see mold.
What should I do if I accidentally eat mold?
If you accidentally eat a small amount of mold, it’s unlikely to harm you seriously, especially if you’re healthy. However, if you see bad symptoms or have a known mold allergy, talk to a qualified health expert for the correct advice and management.
Is it okay to eat a little bit of mold?
You might not feel sick straight away from accidentally eating a small amount of mold. But it’s best not to eat it on purpose. It could lead to health risks. Always toss out moldy food and reach out to a health professional if you don’t feel well after unintentionally eating it.
Is it okay to eat a little bit of mold?
You might not feel sick straight away from accidentally eating a small amount of mold. But it’s best not to eat it on purpose. It could lead to health risks. Always toss out moldy food and reach out to a health professional if you don’t feel well after unintentionally eating it.
What happens if you eat moldy fruit?
Eating moldy fruit might cause digestion issues, allergies, or other health problems in some people. Better toss out moldy fruits and other mold-tainted food items to play safe.
How can I prevent mold from forming on food?
To avoid mold, keep your kitchen clean and handle food right. Make sure the places where food is stored are clean and free of extra moisture. Use the proper ways to store food, like chilling, freezing, and using airtight containers. Stick to the safe storage periods and shelf lives for food.
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Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty 
Last updated: Apr 23, 2024
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