Moldy Produce: Why You Shouldn't Eat Around Mold

Molds are not the only bad players

The war on mold cannot avoid the ways people engage with food. With caution thrown to the wind, nearly one-third of people eat around visible mold on soft foods. It's a risky habit, yet it's grounded in how we think about food waste. However, contaminants can spread beneath the visible mold. Contamination does not discriminate between the visible and hidden. The problem is not just that mold is present, but also that it can grow and spread. And when mold is present, it usually means that there are other bacteria and fungi growing as well.

The guidelines are clear

Food safety experts have fair advice to avoid mold. Discard soft fruits, bread, yogurt, and soft cheese if mold is present. The mycelium is the rootlike network that forms inside the food. Even if the product looks safe to consume, these are not isolated. Microbial growth can't be seen with the naked eye. That's why mold on any of these foods is a sign to toss it. You can't see the roots of the mold, but they’re there, spreading on the food product. And being economical with food and money means missing the risk mold can pose.

Mold is not a visible monster - hidden but with razor sharp teeth

The issue is that mold might look harmless. What most of us might consider a small, innocuous spot. Yet we are too close to the food to fully imagine the consequences of ignoring the mold. The reality is that the damage has already been done. Although contaminants are not visible, they can be serious. Mold produces toxins that can contaminate the food, making it unsafe to consume. Mold contamination can cause food poisoning, leading to illness.

The deep heart of the matter

The reality is that ignoring mold is not always an innocent mistake. It is often the result of complacency - either about food waste, or food safety. It may even be a sign of a greater underlying issue in how people think about food consumption. If we're willing to take risks around mold, then what are we willing to do regarding food waste and nutrients?