It’s a dilemma that most people face but never get a straight answer from searching online: what foods are safe to eat even if they’re moldy?
Sylvia Anderson, a food hygiene consultant in London, UK, said solid fruit and vegetables are usually safe as long as you cut out the toxins – but spreads, sauces and even bread pose a health risk.
She said hard foods were safe because mold would have trouble getting deep into them, but warned that softer and wetter items were not.
Food hygiene expert Sylvia Anderson revealed which foods are safe to eat and which aren’t after they’ve gone rancid
Some molds are dangerous for food because they can cause allergic reactions and breathing problems.
Some molds can also release “mycotoxins” into food, which are toxins that can cause food poisoning.
Among those who have revealed they remove mold from food is former British Prime Minister Theresa May, who said she would rather scrape mold off a jam jar than throw it away.
Below is their list of foods you can and cannot eat when mold appears on the surface:
Moldy bread should be avoided, she said
DON’T EAT: Moldy bread
Many of us are tempted to just cut off the bit of mold on the bread that we can see before eating the rest.
But Ms. Anderson advised against it.
She told the insider it’s because the food is porous, or has lots of openings, making it easy for mold to spread to other areas.
These growths, she warned, may not be as visible to the naked eye, but they are still there.
Yogurt, sour cream and soft cheeses are best avoided when mold is present
DO NOT EAT: yogurt, sour cream and soft cheeses
Yoghurt, sour cream and soft cheeses were high on me. Anderson’s list of foods to avoid once mold appears on the surface.
She said the high moisture content in it meant that the contamination could spread far below the surface in the product.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also recommends throwing it away, saying, “Foods with a high moisture content can become contaminated below the surface.
“Moldy food can also cause bacteria to grow along with the mold.”
Molds can also release mycotoxins into the food, which can lead to food poisoning.
Moldy noodle source should also be avoided
DON’T EAT: Pasta sauce
Pasta sauces also made the list, with Ms Anderson saying that while it’s tempting to take the shape off the top, it’s best avoided.
She explained that even when it is removed, there is still moisture underneath where mold can still grow.
When asked about it, she told the insider “absolutely not,” adding, “And it’s a real shame because I buy really expensive pesto sauce.”
Solid fruits and vegetables can be eaten once the mold is removed
GOOD FOR FOOD: Firm fruit and vegetables – but avoid soft ones
Firm fruits and vegetables such as carrots, cabbage and peppers are safe to eat once the mold has been removed, Ms Anderson said.
That’s because they have low moisture levels, she said, which makes it harder for the fungi to penetrate deep into the food.
But when she removed the mold spots, she recommended not inserting the knife in case of cross-contamination.
The USDA recommends cutting off at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot on the food.
When asked about soft fruits and vegetables that go moldy, such as cucumbers, peaches and tomatoes, she said they are best avoided.
The USDA warns, “Soft fruits and vegetables with high moisture levels can become contaminated below the surface.”
Hard cheese is safe once the mold is removed
SUITABLE FOR FOOD: hard cheeses
Another food that is safe to eat once the mold is removed is hard cheese.
It is a cheese like Parmigiano, Pecorino, Cheddar and Gruyère where mold is not part of the product as is the case with blue cheese.
Ms Anderson said the cheeses were safe to use once removed from the molds as their density and low moisture content made it unlikely to penetrate deeper into the product.
The USDA says the blade should be left unformed to avoid contamination, and the cheese should be covered with fresh foil after removal.
Hard salami is safe once the mold is removed
GOOD TO EAT: Hard salami
Salami, which consists of air-dried meat wrapped in a casing, is safe to eat after the mold is removed, experts say.
Most of them even have form – it’s the white powder on the outside of the product.
Mrs. Anderson said it is safe to eat after the mold is removed.
The USDA says it’s okay to eat these items once the mold has been scrubbed from the surface.
Jelly and jam can also be eaten once the mold is removed
OK TO EAT: jelly and jam
Sometimes a layer of mold can form on jelly and jam jars.
But Ms. Anderson said it’s still good to eat after someone removes the first layer of mold.
She explained to the insider that the sugar in these products acts as a preservative and prevents mold from entering the entire product. She said it is best to remove the first inch.
However, the USDA disagrees that it is best to throw these foods away.
They said: “The fungus can produce a mycotoxin.
“Microbiologists do not recommend digging up the mold and using the remaining spices.”
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
