Now, you wonder, what happens if you eat mold? Eating mold can trigger neurological symptoms due to the presence of mycotoxins. ", "In all likelihood, nothing bad will happen to youespecially if you have a healthy immune system." Mold spreads by spores, which are airborne, so we should keep foods covered, even in the refrigerator, she says. Say you've got half a loaf of Wonder bread left in your cupboard, and when you pull it out to make toast, you notice that the bread is growing mold. Molds are microscopic fungi that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, food and building materials such as insulation. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. Spores give mold its variety of colors and also help transport it from item to item. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. What's BB? All posts copyright their original authors. If left untreated, mold poisoning can cause further complications like respiratory problems and neurological issues. Essentially, the longer your food is exposed to air or stored in the fridge, the more likely it is to grow mold. I ate a moldy mini muffin. First, is there anything a person can do after accidentally eating mold to reduce risk, like taking probiotics or Pepto-Bismol or something? This is how our bodies know not to eat them. The bottom line is its impossible to tell in advance whether the moldy food youre eating is safe, so the best course of action is to be cautious. My last BB had someone eating a moldy blueberry bagel. Their dense structure means that mold has a hard time penetrating further into the food. It depends on what kind of mold it was.. Commonly found near sink drains with slow drainage due to its capacity for nutrient-poor environments; buildings with high levels of humidity are also prone to developing colonies of fusarium molds indoors where it can easily colonize any moist surface like carpets, wood floors bathroom tile grout lines etc., making them discolored over time if left owner untreated/untreated for extended periods of time due to their association with potable water contained within warm indoor climates (60F107F). What if the mold was dangerous? If you want to have on hand a bread that will last longer than a couple of days, Artisan Sourdough Made Simple($17) author and The Clever Carrot creator Emilie Raffa says to go for sourdough. Moldy bread is not poisonous and will not kill you. As such, you definitely shouldn't eat moldy food, whether it's been toasted, fried, or boiled. Other types of mold that can trigger allergies include Eurotium, Epicoccum, Semifomosum and Mucor which typically grow on previously wetted materials or damp walls. You can keep these if you cut out all the mold. Tasted weird on the side of my mouth that I chewed it on but tasted it too late, already swallowed it. A few molds produce mycotoxins, or poisonous substances that can make you very sick. To understand which molds you should avoid, and which ones are not as harmful, heres a debrief on molds. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. If you have a fruit with mold, eventually that fruit will be decomposed, says Gravani. If you have accidentally eaten moldy bread, there are a few things you can do. Some mold is obvious and apparent, but according to theUSDA, it doesn't always just show up on the surface of foods, and it's not always the blue-green color you're probably picturing in your head right now. Aside from the allergy issue, the other problem with eating mold is the mycotoxins it contains. As relieving as it may be to hear that *most* cases of ingested moldy bread wont lead to anything serious, it is important to note that getting sick from moldy bread is possible, though rare. Theyre filamentous organisms that produce spores, which gives it the color you can see aka that lovely green-speckled pattern often visible to the naked eye. Basically, eating moldy food probably won't do you too much harm, let alone kill you, says Rudolph Bedford, MD, a gastroenterologist at Providence Saint Johns Health Center in Santa Monica. They are pretty hearty critters, Gravani says. "You can thaw individual slices of bread overnight in the fridge before you plan to use the next day," she says. Clean out your refrigerator and bread drawer often, Gravani says. If the mold isn't toxic, you'll probably just have a bad taste in your mouth. Therefore, it is important to know what happens if you accidentally eat mold in order to prevent potential health problems. According to Mold Busters, your toaster has to reach 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to even start killing off mold spores. The simple answer? I've done extensive food safety training and one of the things taught was that generally food spoilage (mouldy bread, slimy lettuce etc) doesn't cause food poisoning. In some cases, ingesting toxic mold can be fatal. (Think of the stinky, rotted look of blue cheese and gorgonzola.) Unfortunately, yes, muffins can get moldy. What happens if you accidentally eat mold? Your body might be a bit more sensitive because you're recovering from surgery. There are over 100,000 species of mold, but only a few allergenic molds such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium are known to cause serious problems. Can I Put Frozen Chicken In My Crock-Pot? Most people wont have any reaction to oral exposure, but it can lead to allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. People who eat mold may experience vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Find out more about how we use your information in our privacy policy and cookie policy. These include coughing, congestion, nasal irritation, sneezing, shortness of breath, wheezing and asthma-like symptoms. According to Aranda, those allergies aren't often serious, but there have been cases where eating mold-infested food has. What Happens When You Eat Mold By Accident. 4 Easy Tips for Safer Fruit and Vegetable Washing, from Food Safety and Nutrition Authorities. If you're not sure, though, just chuck it in the bin, because the old adage, "When in doubt, throw it out!" In addition, dehumidifiers can be used to help control humidity levels indoors. When possible, remove carpeting to reduce the potential for mold spores to become airborne. Michael Aranda. Join 8,027 readers in helping fund MetaFilter. Theres no way of knowing by sight whether a mold is safe or harmful. If you think you may have eaten mold or believe that someone in your family has eaten moldy food or drinks then it is important to seek medical attention immediately. The main concern associated with this type of mold is a health hazard due to airborne exposure resulting in breathing problems such as asthma attacks as well as vomiting and nausea among other bacterial infections if ingested. Texture is a good rule of thumb with these types of cheese as well. This is a good motto for moldy foods, but there are some more specific guidelines to keep in mind too. The Best (and Only) Weight Loss Tips You Need to Know, 6 Sore Throat Remedies That Actually Work. And in the rare instance that you do, you'll likely have had to consume large amounts of the stuff. ICYDK, mycotoxins are toxic chemicals that can be produced by mold and, if consumed (or even inhaled) in large quantities, can cause disease and death, per the USDA. I ate a moldy mini muffin. What happens if you accidentally eat moldy food? The short answer: Yes, it's possible that eating bread with mold on it can make you ill. That said, if you accidentally take a bite of moldy bread, you're probably going to be OK, according to the Cleveland Clinic. People who have pre-existing allergies or asthma may be more sensitive to mold allergens and experience more severe reactions than in a healthy person. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. Knowing the symptoms of eating mold is important in case you or someone you know ever eats some. That's because many types of mold aren't harmful just be sure to keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms for the rest of the day. Before you keep noshing on your fruit or popping that bread in the toaster, here's everything that can happen if you eat mold, according to experts. Resist the urge to sniff it because that can cause breathing issues (also, it's smelly). If you're not too skeeved out by that patch of mold on your eats, you might be tempted to just cut it off and continue eating, but whether or not this is actually a good idea depends on the food. Copy. Is there anything we should watch out for outside of naseua/diarrhea? Molds are natures decomposers. You should know that its common to accidentally consume a bit of mold, explains .css-7qz8rz{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#f7623b;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #feebe7 50%, #feebe7);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-7qz8rz:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}Keri Gans, RD, a New-York based dietitian and author. Mold develops on food when the conditions are right. foods that tend to grow mold more quickly, the best way to store your bread and keep bread fresh for longer. So, while you might be grossed out or annoyed that you munched on that blue fuzz, you'll probably be fine. Raffa cosigns the freezer as a good place to store bread you aren't going to eat right away. The Beach Is My Happy Placeand Here Are 3 Science-Backed Reasons It Should Be Yours, Too. Anaphylactic shock is characterized by a sudden drop in blood pressure from a massive release of histamines into the body. Other Symptoms . Like cheese, there are different rules for fruits and vegetables based on the texture. With these types of foods, mold cant penetrate them easily. Ingesting mold can cause allergic reactions in some people. If you see mold, get rid of yogurt and sour cream immediately. Mold may start out as small spots and can quickly grow if not dealt with properly. If you experience any side effects while using a decongestant, it is important that you contact your doctor and discuss the option of discontinuing or changing the medication. Is it a type of mold that actually causes a toxin and can be extremely dangerous for your health? The rule of thumb for these types of food is to discard. A Mold Pros 7 Surprising Spots. Now I do recall eating a piece of moldy bread once and being fine but my concern is the fact that probably means there was other bacteria present and the fact that I'm pregnant. Because there are so many types of mold, the type that pops up on your breakfast muffin may look different than the furry layer that grows on your lunch meats, explains Elena Ivanina, DO, gastroenterologist, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York City. These can range from mild to extreme in intensity and may last for up to one week after eating contaminated food. 2023Well+Good LLC. I've gotten hooked on the bran muffins from Vons/Pavillions, and I always start my day with one. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. Toss the pack since the spores are airborne, and most likely the entire package is contaminated even though you dont see the fuzzy growth on all the fruit.. 220 Eating mold can have a range of potential ill effects depending on what type of mold it is. The addition of fat also helps," she says. A dietitian explains what happens if you eat mold accidentally, and what you should (and shouldnt) do if your food goes bad. Interesting. Mycotoxins are produced by certain molds, and they can cause damage to the nervous system. You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. I accidentally ate a chocolate chip cookie that had some green/blue mold on the bottom, the cookies werent even past their sell by date and it tasted fine but im worried i'll get food poisoning from t . Study now. I accidentally drank curdled milk the other day. This is usually mold in the environment as opposed to food, but for these people, exposure to mold can cause vomiting, diarrhea, or. Research shows that inhaling mold sporesespecially for those that have asthmacan pose dangerous threats and, in some instances, could lead to respiratory illnesses, difficulty breathing, or in rare cases, anaphylaxis. Discard these because foods processed without preservatives are at high risk for mold. Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot (keep the knife out of the mold itself so it will not cross-contaminate other parts of the cheese). How Many Avocados Is It Safe To Eat Per Week? As the body recognizes the presence of a foreign substance ingested with the mold, an allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis can occur. Miranda also interned at Chicagos PBS station, WTTW, and worked as the managing editor at the Columbia Chronicle at Columbia College. Even then, he recommends waiting to see if your symptoms escalate beyond nausea before rushing to call the doctor. Fetal paralysis allergy symptoms accidental mold ingestion leading to dehydration . So, you've eaten half of your hot dog and that last bite of the bun was moldy. Luckily, there are far more dangerous molds out there than the variety ruining your sammy. Additionally, always check the expiration date before consuming foods or beverages, as these products can contain harmful levels of mold if not consumed in a timely manner. Dont underestimate the usefulness of the fridges crisper bin, either, as its calibrated for the specific relative humidity percentage (80 to 95%) that keeps fruits and vegetables fresh. On molds very sick outside of naseua/diarrhea the Beach is my Happy Placeand accidentally ate moldy muffin 3... Last bite of the bun was moldy as harmful, heres a debrief on molds Busters, your has! 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