Many times we forget that we have fruits, vegetables, cheeses, yogurts or bread in the cupboard or refrigerator, to later remember it and that it is too late since the mold made its appearance.
But Ever wonder what would happen if you eat moldy food? Do you know which foods should be thrown away and which ones can be recovered? Here you can learn about that and more.
Mold is a fungus that reproduces and spreads through spores in hot, humid and dark places or with little light, although it can also survive in extremely dry conditions.
There are many types of mold, the most common being: Alternaria, Cladosporium, Mucor, Neurospora, Penicillium, Stachybotrys or Trichoderma.
It is normal to find mold on walls, trunks, leaves, excrement and even on other fungi, although where we usually see it most is in food.
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Mold can be especially harmful to certain people who are sensitive, causing irritation to the eyes or nasal congestion.
It is also a powerful allergen, and a big problem for workers who are often constantly exposed to its presence, such as farmers.
In some cases, and depending on the type of mold, mycotoxins are produced, a type of poisonous substance.
Some of them, such as aflatoxins, can even cause cancer, although their appearance is not usually linked to house mold.
¿ What if I eat moldy food?
First of all, it should be noted that many people consume moldy food regularly when they eat Brie, Camembert, Roquefort cheese or Stilton.
The difference in this case is that specific mold cultures that cannot produce mycotoxins are selected during their production.
On the other hand, the intake of moldy food that It arose by accident, although it is digested like any other food, it can cause undesirable reactions, such as nausea and vomiting (usually due to the taste of the fungus).
To avoid this unpleasant situation, many choose to cut and removing the part affected by mold, although that is not always the best decision, since there is no guarantee that by removing that part you will be eliminating all the fungus infection.
This is due to the fact that mold grows in the form of filaments, so these species of “roots” can penetrate and damage the food beyond the visible part.
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Another very common idea is that the affected food can be rescued by cooking it at high temperatures, to kill mold.
However, the temperature necessary for that would also end up burning the food and altering its flavor, so it is not convenient.
It all depends on the product that has mold . For example, you can remove the damaged part and consume these foods:
- Sausages : such as dry cured hams or hard salami.
- Hard cheeses : such as Gouda, Gruyer, Parmesan or Pecorino.
- Firm fruits and vegetables : such as apples, sweet potatoes, potatoes, bell peppers and carrots.
Try to remove the mold by cutting at least 1 inch (or 2.5 cm) around and below the mold.
On the other hand, if the following foods are affected by mold, you must discard them:
- Cooked foods : such as meats, cereals, stews, or pasta.
- Deli meats : such as bacon or hot dogs.
- Soft fruits and vegetables : such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries, cucumbers or tomatoes.
- Butter : as the peanuts, legumes and walnuts. Products processed without preservatives have a higher risk of mold development.
- Jams and jellies .
- Bread and baked goods .
- Soft cheese: here we find the cottage cheese or cheese cream, as well as grated, crumbled or sliced. Those that are made as mold, such as Gorgonzola, but have been invaded by another mold that was not part of its manufacturing process should also be considered.
- Other dairy : yogurt and sour cream.
How to prevent mold from forming?
You can prevent food from spoiling due to mold growth by following these tips:
- Cleaning : keep clean storage areas, that is, cupboards or refrigerators. Spores from moldy food can accumulate on these surfaces. It is also important that you clean dishcloths, sponges, squeegees, and other kitchen utensils.
- Containers : taking care of the containers in which you are going to store your food is also essential. Make sure they seal well or cover them if they don’t have a lid.
- Leftovers : if you prepared more than you can eat, try to finish that meal between three and four days after it is made, otherwise, you will facilitate the appearance of mold. If you can’t meet that deadline, freeze the leftovers.
- Shelf life : Many foods are perishable and can be easily affected if they are not stored in the fridge. Do not leave them out for more than two hours to prevent them from rotting.
Remember, being prudent when making purchases is fundamental. If your family does not eat much or you live alone, avoid making large purchases.
With less food in your home, it will be easier to control them and prevent mold from appearing.
To remember:
Mold is a fungus that reproduces and spreads by means of spores in warm, humid and dark places or with little light.
If you eat moldy food you can suffer vomiting and nausea, although in some cases the consequences can be more serious, since they produce mycotoxins.
Some foods, such as hard cheeses, sausages, vegetables and firm fruits can be recovered, removing the part affected by mold, but others, such as fruits, vegetables and soft cheeses, cooked foods and jams, must be discarded.
Cleaning the containers, kitchen utensils, cupboards and refrigerators is essential so that mold does not appear. You must also properly store perishable food and freeze what you are not going to eat.
Sources consulted : Comprehensive Natural Medicines Database, US National Library of Medicine, US Department of Agriculture, National Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.