We've all left something in the fridge longer than originally planned. It's not an exaggeration to look at a single spot of mold on a strawberry and wonder if the whole batch needs to be thrown away. But what about a piece of cheese that has a quarter-sized, moldy spot on it? Is it safe to cut and eat? Or does he have to go too? This article takes an in-depth look at moldy foods and which ones can be harmful to you and which ones can't!
What is mold on food and is it dangerous?
Mold is a type of fungus that forms multicellular, thread-like structures. It is usually visible to the human eye when it grows on food and changes the appearance of the produce. The food may become soft and change color, while the mold itself may be fluffy. Moldy food also tastes and smells very distinctive. Even if the mold is only visible on the surface, its roots may lie deep in the food.
Is mold on food dangerous? Not always!While some types of mold can produce harmful toxins, other types are used to make certain foods, including some types of cheese.
Also read:What shouldn't you warm up? You should be very careful with these foods!
Moldy food that you can eat safely
Strictly follow these instructions on what stays and what has to go if you discover mold on your food!
Hard salami or dry country ham
It's okay if hard salamis have a thin white coating on the outside of the meat. This mold is intentionally placed there to create flavor and protect the cured meat from bacteria. It is safe to eat, as is any mold that grows on dry-cured country ham. Large slabs of the super-salty pork are often used in restaurants as decoration and conversation starter (and also as a flavorful accompaniment to everything from pasta to avocado toast). If you buy one of these delicacies, don't be afraid of mold on the crust. Scrub it (dry the ham well) before eating it.
Cheese made with mold
The mold in cheeses such as Gorgonzola, Stilton, Brie and Camembert is to be expected. After all, these cheeses are inoculated with mold before maturing - that's why they're so quirky and delicious. But not all molds are safe to eat, so you can't assume that all molds on cheese will get the nod. For hard cheeses like Gorgonzola and Stilton, a little extra mold doesn't hurt. Cut away the area (1 to 3 cm) and enjoy.
Alarm!But if mold forms on softer cheeses like Brie and Camembert, they have to go. The mold's finger-like organisms can penetrate deep into these softer cheeses and develop into toxic substances.
Some hard cheeses like cheddar
Some cheeses that are not made with veins of mold are safe to eat if you see even a small speck of mold on them. With cheddar, for example, you need to cut off an inch around the moldy area and throw it away before eating the cheese. Be sure to use a clean knife and keep the blade away from mold to avoid cross-contamination. When you're done cutting the cheese for your sandwich or burger, wrap the cheese in a fresh wrapper so you don't reinfect it with mold spores.
Parmesan is moldy – what to do and how can you make the delicious cheese last longer? You can do thatfind out here!
Hard fruits and vegetables
Hard vegetables and fruits such as carrots, potatoes and beets cannot be damaged by the mold. The mold threads have a hard time penetrating deep into these dense plant foods. Cut off about 1cm around the mold and eat or cook as planned.
Alarm!You should throw away softer fruits and vegetables, such as cherries, strawberries and corn. Mold can easily spread to nearby areas even if you can't see the spores with the naked eye.
If the pumpkin gets moldy – can you still eat it? Thefind out here!
Moldy food – when can it be toxic?
Some types of mold can turn into mycotoxins, toxic substances that can make people physically ill. These substances are produced by certain molds that are most commonly found in grains and nuts. However, they are also known to occur in apples, grape juice, celery, and other fresh produce. Therefore, if in doubt, you should throw away moldy food.
Which moldy foods should you throw away?
These foods are not good if you spot mold. Their high moisture content or porous nature promotes rapid mold formation. Don't risk getting sick just to finish Tuesday night's pot roast. Ditch it and make yourself a grilled cheese instead.
Foods you should always throw away:
- Meat, bacon and hot dogs
- Cooked leftover meat and poultry
- Cooked casseroles
- Soft cheeses such as cottage cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese
- Yogurt and sour cream
- Cooked grains and pasta
- Baked goods and bread
- Jams and jellies: Mycotoxins can spread easily in these foods, so scooping out a piece of mold and going deeper and deeper into the jar isn't enough.
- Soft fruits and vegetables: They are porous, meaning mold can spread quickly even if you can't see the spores.
- Peanut butter, legumes and nuts: All foods that have been processed without preservatives have a high risk of mold spores forming. Be extra careful and store them accordingly.
Also read: “KEEPING FOOD WARM: WHAT CAN YOU HEAT UP & WHICH FOOD WILL BE HAZARDOUS TO HEALTH WHEN WARMING UP?”
