Have you come across a food that has mold in a tiny part? Surely you have been tempted to remove the most affected area and take advantage of the rest. It’s a mistake. We explain what mold is, why it arises and how to deal with mold in food .
What is mold?
Mold are spores that appear on food to spoil it in humid conditions and warm environments. When it is shown in food, it is no longer fit for human consumption.
Human instinct itself makes us try to avoid eating any food that has mold on its surface. Although, sometimes, if we observe that it is apparently focused on a single part of the product, we try to clean it and consume the part that is not bad. However, this option is highly detrimental to health, especially when consumed repeatedly.
Mycotoxins in food molds: how they affect you
What are known as mycotoxins or fungal toxins are substances that create different types of mold . The most important and well-known are Aspergillius, Fusarium and, above all, Penicilium .
When the circumstances of temperature and humidity are created, these types of mycotoxins are generated in the food, either during its cultivation or in its storage. It is very strange that they appear at the time of cooking, unlike bacteria.
What happens if we eat food with these mycotoxins? At the moment, we probably don’t even notice the taste. However, in the long term, if they accumulate in the body , they can become a serious health problem.
The diseases they cause range from cancer and genetic mutation to serious metabolic problems . Depending on the mycotoxin consumed, it can even affect the immune system , weakening the defenses against infections.
Is mold in food always dangerous?
However, not all molds in food are harmful to health. In the case of Penicillium , we find a mold whose presence in cheeses is highly valued for its flavor and aroma.
Foods to avoid if they have mold (even a little bit)
Foods with high water content are more prone to mold. These foods that we detail below should be thrown away at the slightest sign of mold.
- Sausages and smoked meats: when the moisture comes out in an isolated portion, it is possible to remove this affected part and consume the rest, as long as it has not come into contact with it. In this case, it is best to throw it away, as it may be contaminated without the eye being aware of it.
- Cooked Stews and Meat : Any stew or food cooked in sauce should be removed immediately. Juice can be a source of bacteria as well as containing mold.
- Bread : being such a porous food, it is very likely that even if a little mold appears on the surface, the interior is also touched. Better to throw it away to compromise our health.
- Legumes not consumed at the time of the validity of their conservation properties.
- Dairy : all liquids are a breeding ground for mold. Its extension is very fast. Eating moldy dairy can cause nausea and diarrhea.
- Jams and soft fruits: sweetness and juice are two of the activators of mold in food.
- Soft vegetables like tomatoes are likely sources of mold. In case of presentation, do not hesitate to throw it away
- Nuts and all their derivatives: in this case, the presence of mold is a very worrying fact, as it occurs due to the presence of aflatoxins, which are very dangerous to health.
