Food mold, its benefits and consequences

Moldy food usually has an unusual, unpleasant, pungent flavor and may appear green spots or hair-like clumps. While some types of mold may cause the formation of highly toxic substances, others may be used in the manufacture of certain types of foods, such as cheese.
The following is the most important information about moldy food:
Although mold may grow and appear in any type of food, there are some types of food that are more susceptible to mold growth than others, especially fresh foods. Among the types of food most susceptible to mold growth are the following:
Fruits: especially strawberries, oranges, grapes, apples, and strawberries.
Bread: especially types that do not contain any kind of preservatives.
Cheeses: whether hard or soft and creamy.
Mold also grows on other types of foods such as meat, nuts, milk, and processed food.
It is intuitive to think that visible mold on food, whatever its type, is a warning sign and that we should dispose of it in the garbage, but this is not always the case, as moldy food varies from one type to another:
Foods that can be eaten after cutting off the rotten part
There are some species that you can save and eat by cutting off the rotten part, including the following:
Hard fruits and vegetables: such as apples, peppers, and carrots.
Hard cheeses: whether they are cheeses that used mold during their manufacture or not.
Other foods: hard salami and cured meats.
You should cut about 2.5 centimeters around and at the bottom of the mold, being careful not to let the knife touch the moldy part.
Foods that must be disposed of immediately if they are infected with mold
If you find mold on these foods, regardless of the extent of their spread, you must get rid of them immediately. These foods are:
Soft and juicy fruits and vegetables: such as strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes.
Soft and creamy cheeses: such as cottage cheese and grated and sliced ​​cheeses.
Bread and other baked foods: These surfaces usually grow mold quickly.
Cooked food: including meat, pasta and cooked grains.
Other foods: jam of all kinds, peanut butter and nuts, sausages and sausages, dairy products, and sour cream.
In general, if mold completely covers the food, you should throw it away without thinking twice, and always remember not to try to inhale mold, as this may cause major problems for your respiratory system.
How to protect food from mold?
There are many ways and means that you can follow to prevent food spoilage and rotting, including:
Keep the refrigerator and freezer clean. It is preferable to wipe the internal surfaces well once every few months.
Maintaining the cleanliness of cleaning tools, including the dishwasher, cleaning sponges, etc.
Buy small quantities and consume them within several days.
Keep foods that are most susceptible to spoilage in cool places. For example, do not leave vegetables outside for more than two hours.
Keep food storage containers completely clean and tightly closed.
Consuming leftover food within a short period.
Freeze food you don’t plan to eat anytime soon.
Mold usually appears clearly on the surface of the food, and sometimes it may hide under the surface, where it varies in color and shape, including green, white, and black. It also gives the food a strong odor and an unpleasant flavor.