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Glam Journal

Will cheese with mold hurt you?

Author

Ava White

Updated on March 29, 2026

Will cheese with mold hurt you?

Mold is an integral part of the cheesemaking process. Almost none of it will kill you, but it could negatively impact the flavor and texture of the cheese it’s growing on or at the very least make it taste pretty different from how it was supposed to.

Can you get sick from eating cheese with mold on it?

What happens if you eat cheese with mold on it? Probably nothing, though in some people, eating mold can cause allergic reactions. In rare cases, it could be poisonous, and even cause vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and internal bleeding. So just in case, be safe, and cut that mold off.

Why is it safe to eat moldy cheese?

Dangerous molds are those which produce mycotoxins and aflatoxins. These toxins may effect our respiratory system and in some cases even act as carcinogens. In fact, this is true for almost all molds in cheese, which is the reason that cheese has been considered a safe moldy food to eat over the past 9,000 years.

Should I throw away moldy cheese?

Mold generally can’t penetrate far into hard and semisoft cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Parmesan and Swiss. So you can cut away the moldy part and eat the rest of the cheese. If you’re not sure what type of cheese you have or what to do if it grows mold, the safe course is to discard it.

What happens if you accidentally eat moldy cheese?

Dangers of eating moldy cheese Molds can carry harmful bacteria, including E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Brucella, all of which can cause food poisoning ( 5 , 6 ). The symptoms of food poisoning include vomiting, stomach pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it may lead to death.

Why is mold on bleu cheese bad?

Blue cheese is made using Penicillium, a type of mold that’s responsible for its unique taste, smell, and appearance. Unlike other types of mold, Penicillium does not produce toxins and is safe to consume.

What happens if you eat cooked moldy cheese?

What are the dangers of eating moldy cheese?

Dangers of eating moldy cheese Molds can carry harmful bacteria, including E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, and Brucella, all of which can cause food poisoning (5, 6

What kind of cheese can you eat with mold in it?

Mold generally can’t penetrate far into hard and semisoft cheeses, such as cheddar, colby, Parmesan and Swiss. So you can cut away the moldy part and eat the rest of the cheese.

Are there any cheeses that are safe to eat?

Cheeses such as Brie and Camembert have white surface molds. Other cheeses have both an internal and a surface mold. The molds used to manufacture these cheeses are safe to eat. Why Can Mold Grow in the Refrigerator?

What kind of bacteria can grow in cheese?

With these cheeses, the mold can send threads throughout the cheese — contaminating more than you see. In addition, harmful bacteria, such as listeria, brucella, salmonella and E. coli, can grow along with the mold. Mold generally can’t penetrate far into hard and semisoft cheeses,…

Is mold on cheese bad for You?

According to the Mayo Clinic, if you were to eat a soft cheese with mold, you increase the risk of being exposed to foodborne pathogens such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli that grow along with the mold. So always make sure you’re taking note of what type of cheese you’re eating!

Is it safe to eat mold on cheese?

It usually is safe to eat moldy cheese — but there’s a caveat. It really depends on the type of cheese and your individual health. There are certain molds that are used to make cheeses, like Roquefort , bleu cheese, Brie, Camembert and Gorgonzola. These particular cheeses are perfectly safe to eat,…

What are the side effects of eating moldy cheese?

“Some molds produce mycotoxins, which can make you really sick.”. According to the Mayo Clinic, if you were to eat a soft cheese with mold, you increase the risk of being exposed to foodborne pathogens such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli that grow along with the mold.

Is cheese mold, or just the byproduct of mold?

Cheese is not mold nor is it the by-product of mold. Some cheese varieties like blue cheese have specific species of mold that are intentionally added during the cheesemaking process to enhance the flavor of texture. The mold added to these cheeses can be thought of as a special ingredient.