What Happens If You Eat Black Mold? Signs, Prevention & Solution

What happens if you eat black mold?

You’re not going to like this, but black mold is dangerous and can cause serious health problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), black mold can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.

This article explains what black mold is, what happens if you eat black mold, how to prevent it from growing on your food, and more.

What is black mold?

Black mold is a fungal organism that grows on damp surfaces and produces spores that are released into the air. When these spores land on foods such as bread, biscuits, and cheese, they produce some toxins that are harmful to your body.

Black mold is dangerous and can cause symptoms such as sore throat, dizziness, and shortness of breath that may be worsened by exercise. It can also cause diarrhea, upset stomach, and allergic reactions depending on the individual.

SEE: Food Poisoning Signs You Probably Didn’t Know About

What happens if you eat black mold?

If you eat black mold, you’ll most likely experience several different symptoms. These symptoms can range from mild to severe, depending on the amount of exposure and the type of food involved.

Common symptoms are:

Upset stomach and diarrhea

The first thing that you may notice is an upset stomach and diarrhea. This reaction is your body telling you that there is something wrong with the food, and you should get it out of there soon.

Nausea and vomiting

The second thing that you may notice is some nausea and vomiting. You’ll feel like your stomach is coming up into your throat, and you’ll end up vomiting. 

Sore throat

You may also have a sore throat that feels like sandpaper scraping on your throat lining and tongue. The pain may be accompanied by a bad taste in your mouth or an urge to cough up mucus.

Fever

You may experience an increase in your body temperature and frequent chills that don’t go away when you take medicine.

Dizziness

You may feel lightheaded when going up or down the stairs or even when standing still. A dizzy spell will make it hard for you to stand up straight and go about your normal activities.

Allergic reactions

Black mold can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose and itchy eyes in some people. In rare cases, black mold can also cause skin redness or itching on the skin.

Respiratory problems

Mold can cause respiratory problems, such as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath when inhaled into the lungs. That’s why people who have asthma or allergies should stay away from black mold, as well as other types of mold.

Other symptoms include:

  • Headache or migraine
  • Burning sensation in the mouth
  • Loss of appetite
  • Metallic taste in the mouth

SEE: What Happens if You Eat Raw Dough?

What happens if you accidentally eat black mold?

If you eat black mold accidentally, then you will most likely get sick. Keep in mind that some people are more susceptible to getting sick from eating mold than others.

For instance, if you have a weak immune system or other health problems, then you’ll be more likely to get sick from eating black mold. That’s because your immune system has lost some of its ability to fight off the toxins produced by the mold.

It’s important to seek medical attention immediately after accidentally eating black mold (within 2 hours). If you’re not sure you have eaten black mold, you should see a doctor as soon as possible as well.

What should you do if you accidentally ate mold?

If you have accidentally eaten mold, call your doctor immediately. They will want to know what kind of mold it was and how much you ate. They will also be able to tell if there is any danger to your health because of eating the mold.

If there is no danger to your health, then your doctor will let you know. They will also sensitize you on ways to protect your food from mold and other harmful microorganisms.

If your doctor suspects that you have some symptoms of mold poisoning, they will probably recommend some tests. These tests might include blood tests and urine tests to check for complications that occur as a result of mold poisoning.

You may also need to stay in the hospital for several days while your doctor monitors your condition.

SEE: What Happens If You Eat Bad Ham?

How long after eating black mold will you get sick?

The short answer is that it depends. The amount of time that passes between eating black mold and getting sick depends on various factors, including how much of the mold you ate and your health status.

In general, black mold poisoning symptoms usually appear within one to two days of eating the contaminated food. It’s also important to note that some people do not get sick after eating black mold or any other type of mold.

SEE: This Is What Happens When You Eat Moldy Chocolate

How can you prevent black mold growth on food?

Keep your fridge and freezer clean

Cleaning your refrigerator and freezer regularly helps prevent mold from growing on food. Wipe down the shelves and remove any spills immediately with a cloth dampened in warm water and soap.

Wash all utensils, plates, and bowls

Wash all your utensils, plates, and bowls before using them to cook. This way, they don’t transfer mold spores or other harmful microorganisms to your foods.

Store your foods properly

Keep your foods in a sealed container and away from moisture and heat sources, such as sinks and ovens. Also, use glass containers instead of plastic ones when storing liquid items so that they don’t get contaminated by other foods in your refrigerator.

Wash fruits and vegetables before eating

Wash your fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them to get rid of any mold spores that may be on them. If you don’t do this, mold can grow on your fruits and vegetables and cause mold poisoning.

NOTE: Never use strong chemicals like bleach or other household cleaners to wash foods as this can damage the foods and your health.

SEE: Here’s How To Stop Food Spoilage And Food Poisoning

How to get rid of moldy food

Step 1: Wear rubber gloves

Wear rubber gloves before handling foods contaminated with black mold, as the spores can get on your skin and cause a skin reaction. Also, wear masks before handling foods contaminated with black mold so as not to inhale the mold spores.

Step 2: Discard the moldy food

Place the moldy food in a sealed container and discard it. This will prevent the mold from spreading to other foods and surfaces in your house.

Step 3: Clean any contaminated surfaces

If there is a small amount of black mold on any surface or utensils, use soap and water to wash it away. Be sure that you’ve washed everything properly before storing or cooking anything else.

SEE: How Long You Can Keep Your Foods Safe And Fresh

FAQs

Can moldy food make you sick?

Yes, it can. If you eat moldy food, you may experience symptoms such as diarrhea, stomach pain, and vomiting. In rare cases, severe symptoms such as allergic reactions and shortness of breath may occur.

What should you do if you eat mold on cheese?

The best thing to do is discard the cheese and see a doctor immediately. They may prescribe some medicines that can help prevent mold poisoning from occurring. If you wait too long before seeing a doctor, it could be too late.

Can heat cause mold growth?

Yes, it can. Heat can make your food more susceptible to the growth of mold and other microorganisms that cause food poisoning and food spoilage.

Can black mold grow in your home?

Yes, it can. Black mold is easily visible when it’s growing inside your home. The black coating of the mold can be found on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces of your home.

Black mold produces an unpleasant odor when they grow indoors and can cause respiratory problems if you breathe in its spores. Mold spores spread quickly and easily through the air, so you should call a professional to clean your home immediately.

Conclusion

Black mold is a fungal organism that grows on foods and produces toxins that can be harmful to your health.

If you eat black mold, you can experience symptoms such as upset stomach, diarrhea, and fever. You can also experience allergic reactions and even respiratory problems if you inhale the mold spores.

If you suspect you have eaten food contaminated with black mold, consult your doctor immediately.

Thanks for reading.

Visit Cheffist if you’d like to read more health and food-related articles.