What happens if you eat moldy mozzarella cheese?

Eating moldy mozzarella cheese can cause a variety of health issues. Mozzarella is a soft, white cheese that is commonly used on pizza and in other Italian dishes. It has a high moisture content, which makes it prone to mold growth if not stored properly. Consuming moldy mozzarella can pose health risks, but the severity depends on the amount consumed, the type of mold, and the health of the individual.

Mold on Mozzarella

Mold can grow on mozzarella cheese when it is kept past its expiration date and not refrigerated properly. Mozzarella’s high moisture content creates an ideal environment for mold. Common molds that grow on mozzarella and other foods include:

  • Penicillium – blue or green mold with a velvety texture
  • Aspergillus – yellow, brown, black, or green mold
  • Mucor – fast growing grayish white mold
  • Rhizopus – fast growing gray or black mold

These molds can thrive on mozzarella within days or weeks of improper food handling. Their root threads can penetrate deep into the cheese, making it impossible to cut away the moldy parts.

Health Risks of Eating Moldy Mozzarella

Eating moldy mozzarella cheese comes with several potential health risks:

Allergic Reactions

Ingesting mold can cause allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms may include wheezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itchy skin, rashes, and digestive problems. People with mold allergies should avoid contaminated cheese to prevent a reaction.

Respiratory Issues

Breathing in mold spores from contaminated cheese can irritate the lungs and worsen asthma or other respiratory conditions. Mold can trigger coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath in sensitive individuals.

Food Poisoning

Certain molds produce mycotoxins that can cause illness. Consuming high levels of mycotoxins from moldy cheese can result in vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Long term exposure to some mycotoxins may affect the kidneys and liver.

Antibiotic Resistance

Penicillin and related antibiotics are derived from the Penicillium mold. Eating cheese contaminated with Penicillium could result in antibiotic resistance if penicillin medication is taken at the same time.

Infections

People with weakened immune systems are at risk for opportunistic infections from eating moldy foods. The fungi can invade lung tissue or cause sepsis in vulnerable individuals. This is more likely to occur from eating high amounts of contaminated cheese.

Amount of Moldy Cheese Consumed

The health risks depend largely on the amount of moldy mozzarella consumed. Eating a small amount of cheese with a spot of mold is less likely to cause illness than eating large portions covered in mold.

Here is a table estimating the health risks based on the amount of moldy mozzarella consumed:

Amount Consumed Health Risk
Tiny spot of mold Low risk of complications for most healthy adults
Less than 1 ounce Possible allergic reaction or minor gastrointenstinal symptoms
1 ounce to 1 cup Gastrointestinal issues more likely. Higher risk for vulnerable groups.
Over 1 cup Higher chance of developing severe food poisoning symptoms and other health complications

As shown, the health risk is very low from consuming a small amount of cheese with a little mold. But this risk increases as the quantity of contaminated cheese increases. Eating over a cup of moldy cheese significantly raises the risk of adverse health effects.

Type of Mold on the Mozzarella

The species of mold also impacts the potential health risks. Certain molds are more hazardous than others when ingested:

Aflatoxin-producing molds

Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus release toxic aflatoxins. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen and can cause liver damage. These molds are more common in hot humid climates.

Fusarium

Fusarium molds can produce fumonisin mycotoxins linked to cancer and neural tube defects. This mold looks white or pink.

Mucor

Mucor mold can cause mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection. It most often affects those with weakened immune systems, like diabetes or cancer patients.

Penicillium

Penicillium mold is relatively non-toxic. It can cause allergic reactions and spoiled food symptoms when eaten in large amounts. Blue cheese intentionally uses edible Penicillium.

So mold types like Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Mucor are more hazardous if accidentally consumed. Penicillium is less likely to make someone sick. But it’s still best to discard any visibly moldy cheese.

Health of the Individual

Some people are more susceptible to becoming sick from eating moldy cheese. The highest risk groups include:

  • Infants and young children
  • Elderly
  • Pregnant women
  • Immunocompromised individuals – HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy patients
  • People with chronic illnesses – diabetes, cancer, COPD
  • Individuals taking antibiotics or antifungal medications

Healthy adults are less likely to develop severe complications from accidentally eating a small amount of moldy cheese. But those with compromised immune systems are at greater risk of opportunistic fungal infections and other illnesses from ingesting mold.

Conclusion

Eating mozzarella cheese with mold can make you sick, but the chance depends on the variables discussed. Consuming a large quantity of cheese extensively contaminated with hazardous molds would pose the greatest health risks. People who are immunocompromised, very young, or elderly are most vulnerable to complications. To stay safe, inspect cheese carefully for mold and any signs of spoilage before eating. Discard moldy mozzarella to avoid the potential health risks.

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