What to do with food when it has mold?

We've all faced this dilemma when opening the refrigerator: the loaf you bought a couple of days ago has mold in some parts, your favorite jam is already showing signs of decay, or the strawberries have small spores that have ruined your plan to make a dessert with them.  Despite the warning signs, many people refuse to throw away food when it has mold or insist on rescuing the part that hasn't been invaded by this type of fungus. However, this topic goes much deeper, as the information we are about to reveal to you will surprise you. Here we explain what to do with food when it has mold!  You can also read: What foods should not be stored in the refrigerator? What is mold? The mold that appears on food is a type of microscopic fungus that produces spores, which travel through the air, insects, or water. Once they contaminate a surface, they form a kind of root that can invade the food from the inside, not just on the surface. What is even more alarming is that experts from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that if food has mold, it is also likely that there are bacteria growing invisibly alongside the mold.  On the other hand, this institution points out that certain types of mold cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, and a few types of mold, under the right conditions, produce ‘mycotoxins’, toxic substances that can make you sick.” What to do with food when it has mold? The answer is a bit complicated, as in some cases it is recommended to throw away the food with mold, but in others, it is only necessary to remove the affected part and consume the rest; here we explain what you should do in detail.  The United States Department of Agriculture states that, although we may only see the mold on the surface, this fungus has already invaded the food deeply and explains that in the case of dangerous mold, “toxic substances are often found inside and around” the spores, and in some cases, the toxins spread throughout the food, so they recommend the following: 1. Buy the amount of food you will use and cook it as soon as possible.  2. If you see mold on any food, do not smell it, as you could contract a respiratory illness. 3. Clean your refrigerator or pantry if you discover something with mold. However, it is not necessary to throw away the entire product, but this will depend on the type of food; here we tell you which ones to throw away and which ones not. Regarding mold, there are some exceptions, such as firm fruits and vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, cabbage, apples, and more. The Department of Agriculture of the neighboring country indicates that if it has mold, you can remove the affected part and a little more, about 2.5 cm around, being careful that the knife does not touch the mold, as it could spread it.  In the case of hard cheeses, such as Cotija, Gruyère, Manchego, Parmesan, and Pecorino, it is also not necessary to throw away the entire piece, as it is enough to remove the part with mold and a bit more, about 2.5 cm around. In the case of soft-textured fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peaches, it is best to throw away the entire piece, as the mold is likely already inside the food. It is also advisable to discard meat, sausages, bacon, chicken, stews, rice, quinoa, pasta, cream cheese, cottage cheese, yogurt, cream, jelly, jam, bread, cookies, and peanut butter once you detect mold on them.  You can also read: How to eliminate bad odors from the refrigerator?How to combat mold? Before panicking, it is important to consider the following if you find any food with mold inside your refrigerator. 1. Cleaning is key. Remember to wash your refrigerator frequently, and you should wash your utensils and cloths every day.  2. If you have Tupperware or containers, make sure to wash them very well, as packaging tends to get moldy after a while. 3. Change the sponge and the kitchen cloths when they are very dirty or worn out, as they can spread mold.  You can also read: Should eggs be washed before cooking them?How to prevent mold on food? The USDA makes a series of recommendations to prevent mold from growing on foods: 1. Do not leave perishable food outside the refrigerator for more than 2 hours.  2. Consume leftovers within 3 or 4 days after preparation. 3. If you opened a can and are not going to use all the product, pour the remaining into a container, cover it, and store it in the refrigerator immediately. 4. When serving any food, it is best to cover it with plastic or a lid, as mold spores spread through the air.