General
Mould is generally a specific type of fungus, which can reproduce particularly well on the basis of various foods. However, mold also occurs on house walls or in nature. There are very many different types of mould, which can reproduce well on a variety of foods.
In addition to the mould, which is undesirable and indicates the spoilage of food, there are also mould types which are used for the refinement of food, such as certain types of cheese or sausage. Thus, the type of mold is especially important for differentiating whether eating mold is questionable or not. A number of molds produce certain poisons (mycotoxins), which are a health hazard.
Particularly with permanent or one-time high consumption of these toxins a health damage is to be assumed. For this reason, most foods that are affected by mold should be disposed of. This is especially true for foods with a high water content, since the molds can multiply particularly well there, invisible to humans. Only with some products, such as hard cheese blocks or jams with a high sugar content, is it sufficient to remove the mold over a large area.
Symptoms
As a rule, accidental eating of small amounts of food contaminated with mold does not cause discomfort. Immediately after consumption, gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea or vomiting may occur. Consumption of food that contains mould over a longer period of time can cause health problems, which can be reflected in different symptoms.
The toxins produced by the mould attack certain organ systems and can cause complaints of the liver or kidney. Also the development of tumors can be promoted by the consumption of molds. It is also known that damage to the immune system can occur. It is also important for pregnant women to know that the consumption of mould can have a harmful effect on the development of the child. Allergies can also be caused by the consumption of mould fungi.
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