Moldy Food: When to Toss and When to Trim, According to Experts

Finding mold on food can spark a debate: cut it off or throw it away? Experts suggest that the decision depends on the type of food and its firmness, as mold spreads differently in various items.

A survey conducted in Germany revealed that a significant portion of people cut mold off food before consuming the rest, often unaware that heat does not destroy all mold-related toxins. Visible mold is easily recognized, but some toxins can be present without being visible.

Brian Labus, an infectious disease epidemiologist and associate professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Public Health, explained that ordinary spoilage is often confused with illness-causing germs. "Most of the stuff that we're talking about, especially with fruits and vegetables, it's not going to be something that's going to cause a foodborne illness," Labus told Fox News Digital. "Those things are gross, but they're not the kind of thing that's going to make you sick."

The firmness of a fruit or vegetable is a crucial indicator. On firm produce like an apple, mold may be superficial and can be cut away. However, on soft, wet foods, mold can penetrate more easily, making them unsafe to eat. If lettuce or other produce has become mushy, it should be discarded.

With berries, any pieces showing visible mold or soft spots should be thrown away. Intact berries without signs of mold can be washed and eaten.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers similar guidance, recommending that moldy fruit and any pieces touching it be discarded. If the remaining fruit is not mushy and shows no mold, it can be washed and consumed.

When it comes to bread, mold can grow deep into the loaf. If mold is visible on a slice, it is generally advised to discard the entire portion of bread rather than just cutting off the visible mold.

Water-rich produce that has molded should also be discarded, according to Germany's risk assessment agency. Similarly, moldy jam or jelly should be thrown away.

While some molds can cause allergic reactions and others produce mycotoxins, Labus advises against panic if moldy food is accidentally consumed. "It's not like you need to run to the doctor or anything like that. Spit it out and move on with your day," he said.

Individuals with mold allergies or compromised immune systems should exercise extra caution. Labus also suggests practical food safety measures, such as refrigerating food, purchasing only what can be used soon, and preventing cross-contamination in the kitchen by washing hands and utensils between preparing different food items.