What Happens If You Accidentally Eat Mold?

You Should Know: Generally speaking, mold on food is not appetizing (with the exception of blue cheese). We know that mold forms when food is going bad, but if you find a splotch on a piece of bread you were about to eat, is it OK to tear that bit off, or should you toss the whole thing? And what actually happens if you accidentally eat moldy food? 

Going Deeper: Mold is a type of fungi that’s naturally occurring in the environment and releases tons of tiny spores, which spread virtually everywhere. It thrives in warm, humid spots. On high-moisture foods, mold can begin growing quickly as soon as it is exposed to air. 

Takeaway: Plenty of molds are safe to ingest, like the kind used to make penicillin, cured meats, and cheese (unless you’re allergic to mold), but some are toxic. If you accidentally eat a tiny bit, your stomach acids and digestive enzymes will likely neutralize any mycotoxins, but some molds can make you sick.

Bottom Line: A little is probably OK, but food-safety experts recommend tossing most moldy food because mold can penetrate far deeper than what’s visible on the surface. Hard cheese and firm fruits or vegetables can be salvaged, but cut off at least one inch around the mold.