We all come into contact with mold almost daily: whether on sausage or cheese, on bread or rolls – mold can eventually be ubiquitous. But what do you do with the food? Do you just cut the mold off generously or do you throw the goods away immediately?
Almost everyone has asked themselves this question at some point. If you have found mold on jam, toast, or a roll, it is often annoying to have to throw the whole jar or the whole loaf into the trash. In grandmother's day, this action would have been completely unthinkable – back then, the spots were simply cut out and that was it! However, experts and scientists advise against this frugality. While there is mold that could be cut off without hesitation, there are also other types that can truly be harmful to health.
Danger to health!
Anyone who discovers a fuzzy spot on quark or spots green spots on bread should exercise caution. Unfortunately, we cannot tell with the naked eye whether this fungus or that mold is really dangerous. Nutritionists know, however, that with a higher water content in food, the risk also increases that poison will also form along with the mold. The so-called mycotoxins are, for example, not only visible when a hairy fungus forms on the bread, but are then also usually deeply hidden inside the product.
Better to throw it away than to save money!
So we now know that scraping or cutting off does not solve the problem. The harmful spores are hidden throughout the sausage or the entire roast. Juices, soups, or sauces should therefore also go straight into the trash – skimming off does not help at all here. Whether dairy products, cream, yogurt, or kefir, all these things should no longer be consumed, even if you could remove the mold with a spoon.
What can happen if I eat moldy food anyway?
Anyone who discovers mold on their food should rather throw it away – this applies to fruit, vegetables, as well as cheese, sausage, and baked goods. Without exception, nothing should be on the plate and consumed, even if it breaks your heart. The reason for this can be health damage if you consume the moldy food anyway. Most molds contain highly toxic and carcinogenic substances. In addition, the toxins can damage the kidneys, weaken the immune system, and trigger allergies. Therefore, the food should be disposed of immediately.
How can I prevent mold on food?
So that mold does not infest our daily bread, you can take precautions with simple tips.
- Buy your food fresh and in small quantities as often as possible.
- Also, consume your supplies quickly – 'hoarding' is only possible with dry goods, and even here, expiration dates should be viewed critically.
- When shopping, also look for undamaged food without bruises – this reduces the risk of rapid mold growth.
- Storing food in clean, dry, and cool places also prevents rapid mold development. Bread therefore belongs in designated storage boxes. These should not only be cleaned weekly but also wiped out with vinegar water to guarantee the elimination of bacteria. Storage in plastic bags is not recommended. A bread bag made of fabric, such as a linen bag for bread or a clean dish towel, is much better. A Bread bin is also a good purchase, as the bread stays fresh much longer here.
Small tip: even small breadcrumbs or cheese remnants should be removed regularly, as these also promote mold potential.
But there is also good mold, right?
Of course, not every mold is worrying for humans – some molds can even be useful to us. Certain types of cheese such as Camembert or Brie as well as Roquefort and some types of salami taste excellent and are particularly popular among gourmets. Without these types of mold, the food would not delight the palates of connoisseurs.
Image by Janine, meinhaushalt.at
Also read: Keep cheese fresh longer
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