Is It Safe to Eat Food Mold After Cutting It Off?

[Image source=Clipart Korea]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Du-yeol] What if you forget and leave bread that was baked not long ago, only to find mold spreading on it?

During the season of hot and humid weather combined with heavy rains, mold-infected bread is common. The simultaneous arrival of high temperatures and humidity in midsummer causes foreign substances such as insects and mold to contaminate food products.

According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, an analysis of processed food foreign substance reports over the past five years since 2017 showed that 39.5% were reports of insects and mold, mainly concentrated between July and October.

Investigation into the causes revealed that most cases were due to negligence in storage and handling during distribution and consumption. Regarding mold, it was found in snacks at 19.0%, bread and rice cake products at 16.5%, beverages at 13.2%, and dried fruits at 12.1%.

The delicate thread-like structures that make up mold are called hyphae, which consist of multiple cells. When mold spores dispersed in the air find an environment suitable for growth, they settle there and extend hyphae to survive. Mold mainly parasitizes and proliferates on foods rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates.

There are thousands of mold species, ranging from those used in fermented foods to harmful molds containing carcinogens called aflatoxins. Since it is difficult for the general public to distinguish them, caution is necessary.

If mold or foreign substances are found before consuming food, refrain from eating it and discard it immediately.

Sometimes people cut off only the moldy part and eat the rest, but since mold can spread to parts not visible to the eye, this should be avoided.

If mold is discovered after consuming food, healthy individuals with strong immunity may not experience serious problems. However, depending on the mold type or if the person is an infant, elderly, has chronic diseases, allergies, asthma, or other underlying conditions, mold can negatively affect the digestive and respiratory systems.

If symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, dizziness, or headache occur after eating, medical attention must be sought.

For products consumed over multiple servings, transfer the remaining food to an airtight container, seal it tightly, and store it according to the instructions on the packaging. During hot summer months, it is best to avoid direct sunlight and store food in cool places such as refrigerators or freezers.

Mold can grow even at low temperatures, so refrigerators should be cleaned regularly, and opened foods should be consumed quickly. This is especially true for foods high in carbohydrates or with strong sweetness.

If food is purchased via delivery, insects may inhabit gaps in the packaging box and infiltrate the product, so it is advisable to remove and separate the product immediately upon receipt.

Im Chang-seop, a gastroenterology specialist at Daedong Hospital’s Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Center, said, “During summer, which provides an ideal environment for insects and mold to proliferate, even processed foods can spoil if the container is damaged during storage, allowing external air to enter, so special care must be taken in storage.”

He added, “Sometimes people think it’s okay to remove mold and eat the rest, but consuming only part of moldy food can cause aftereffects or be dangerous for the elderly and weak. It is best to discard any food with even a small amount of mold growth.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.