The Moldy Food Quiz

Mold is a collection of microscopic spores that grow together. It is important to throw out food with mold because most of the mold is beneath the surface and can spread through the food, even if only a small amount is visible.

Mold spreads through the release of spores. The big piles on the surface of mold are where the spores come from. When the mold gets big enough or gets moved around, it releases the spores similar to the way mushrooms spread their spores.

Humans have developed various methods to slow down the spread of mold in food. These include storing food in refrigerators to slow down mold growth, drying meats like Jerky to deprive mold of moisture, and canning foods to limit oxygen availability for mold. Pickling also preserves foods in an acidic environment that slows down mold growth.

Not all mold is bad for consumption. Some molds, like Penicillium, are safe to consume and are even used in the production of certain cheeses, such as Blue Cheese, Brie, or Gorgonzola. These molds do not contain the same toxins as most other molds.

Mold is actually everywhere and can come from various sources. Mold can be present in the air we breathe and can also come from the environment or during the production and packaging of food. Mold spores can get into food when it is exposed to the air, either during manufacturing or when the food is opened and stored in a cool, dark place.