We have all found moldy food in our refrigerators, even if refrigerated promptly moldy food is still a fact of life. So the question is do you cut off the moldy part and use or toss it all? It is important to not consume mold as some molds can be toxic and cause allergic reactions and could make you sick.

Molds are Fungi transported by air, water or insects. You generally see the green or blue fuzzy dots on bread, cheese, meats, fruits, and vegetables; the problem is that the mold has branches that can be growing very deep into the food which we cannot see. So, again we ask which foods we can safely keep in order to avoid food waste.

¯ Jams & Jellies: Don’t scoop the mold out and use the rest. The mold found in these type products could be one that produces dangerous toxins and can be deeper than you think. Discard

¯ Yogurt & Sour Cream: Foods that are high in moisture can be contaminated below the visible surface and can also have bacteria growing alongside the mold that you can’t see. Discard

¯ Hard Cheeses: Because cheeses such as cheddar or parmesan are hard you can safely cut 1 inch around all sides of the mold and recover with fresh wrap and keep. Shredded, sliced or crumbled cheeses which develop mold need to be Discarded as it has most likely has spread to entire package.

¯ Soft Cheese: Discard moldy soft cheeses such as Brie, Camembert. If the mold is on a cheese as part of the manufacturing process such as hard blue cheese like Gorgonzola or stilton which can’t exist without mold then you expect mold but toss it if you see a moldy spot that doesn’t seem to belong.

¯ Cabbage and bell peppers: Mold has a harder time penetrating hard foods but if mold is found on hard vegetables like cabbage, peppers or carrots you can cut and use, make sure the knife you use does not touch the mold and contaminate the good portion of the product.

¯ Cucumbers or peaches: If you find mold on soft foods such as strawberries, tomatoes etc. the food needs to be Discarded. Because of the high moisture content mold can exist deep into it. Even the orange rind does not protect fruit from penetrating to the flesh.

¯ Bread: The most likely to get moldy award goes to bread. Baked goods are so porous mold can exist below the surface, better to throw it all out.

¯ Lunch meat, hot dogs or bacon: Again due to the high moisture content plus the distinct possibility of bacteria growth as well – Discard. Although some hard salamis and dry cured hams may have mold on the outside normally. I would scrub the mold off the ham.

¯ Casseroles, Pasta: These have high moisture content and can have mold with deep filaments under the surface so Discard.

¯ Peanuts, butter nuts: Peanuts are THE most likely to grow molds that produce the most dangerous toxins. Ditch the whole container if you see even a trace of mold.

Mold spores can also build up in your fridge and dishcloths. Clean your refrigerator every couple of months with 1 tablespoon baking soda in a quart of water and make sure your dishcloths are clean and odor free. When you are food shopping, examine the food carefully before buying. When serving food keep it covered to prevent exposure to spores that may be in the air. Always use leftovers within 3-4 days.

Chautauqua County Office for the Aging Senior Nutrition Program provides nutritious noon meals at several Congregate Dining Sites throughout the county along with a Restaurant Dining out Program. Our Dietitian, Cheryl Walhstrom, RD is available for nutrition counseling in your home. We also sponsor several exercise programs. Call the office for more details and information. Call: NY CONNECTS @ 753-4582.