Finding moldy produce creates a familiar kitchen gamble, but the risk depends on what’s growing and what it’s growing on, experts say.
A recent survey in Germany found that nearly one in three people remove mold from food before eating the rest, a habit that may not eliminate all toxins.
Less than half of those surveyed knew that cooking does not destroy mycotoxins, which are produced by some molds and can be invisible in foods. More than a quarter thought the heat could destroy them, while another quarter weren’t sure.
The survey, conducted by Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, measured self-reported habits and knowledge, not levels of toxins in food or disease.
The report highlights the limits of using sight to judge food safety.
“Visible mold is reliably recognized and triggers intuitive avoidance,” the authors write. “But this instinct doesn’t work when the food contains toxins without visible mold.”
But what to do about moldy food really depends on the item, according to Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health.
People often confuse ordinary spoilage with the types of germs that cause foodborne illness, he told Fox News Digital.
“Most of the things we talk about, especially fruits and vegetables, are not going to cause foodborne illness,” Labus said. “These things are disgusting, but they’re not the kind of things that are going to make you sick.”
Firmness is a useful guide when deciding what to do with visible mold, Labus said.
On a firm fruit like an apple, he explained, mold can stay near the surface, so a person can cut around the affected area. On soft, moist foods, mold can spread more easily through the food.
If lettuce or other produce has become mushy, he says, it should be thrown out.
Along with the berries, discard any pieces with visible mold or soft spots, Labus said. Other berries that remain intact and show no signs of mold can be washed and eaten.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines also advise throwing out moldy fruit and any bits that touch it, then washing the rest if it has no mold and isn’t too mushy.
Bread is different, Labus explained, because mold can grow on it. If mold appears on a slice, he recommends throwing the bread away rather than removing only the visibly affected part. The German Risk Assessment Agency recommends throwing away moldy and water-rich products.
Moldy jam or jelly should also be thrown away, Labus said.
Some molds can trigger allergic reactions and some molds produce mycotoxins, according to the USDA.
But if you accidentally eat something moldy, Labus advises not to panic.
“It’s not like you have to run to the doctor or anything like that,” he said. “Spit it out and go on with your day.”
People with mold allergies should avoid taking risks with moldy foods, while those who are immunocompromised should be especially careful handling food in general, Labus said.
Labus also recommends storing foods in the refrigerator and only buying what you’ll use soon, rather than stocking up on a bulk container of berries.
Washing your hands and preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen are more important steps when it comes to food safety, Labus added. For example, he explained, using the same knife on raw chicken and then on vegetables without washing them can spread disease-causing germs.
Gn Health
