Moldy Mozzarella – Throw or Keep? GUIDE

Is moldy mozzarella cheese bad? It can be! Cheeses with mold on them pose risks to human health, but some types of cheese pose more risks than others. In this article, we’ll explore the different types of mozzarella cheeses and assess whether or not the mold that grows on them should concern you. So, if you’re ready, let’s dig into the facts.

Table of Contents

• Can Mozzarella Get Moldy?
• Mozzarella Mold: What’s the Risk?
• Can I Use Shredded Mozzarella Cheese If Some of it Was Moldy?
• Can Moldy Mozzarella Cheese Make You Sick?
  • What Happens If You Eat Cooked Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?
• How to Tell if Mozzarella Is Bad
• I Ate Moldy Mozzarella Cheese
  • Can I Eat Mozzarella With Mold on it?
  • What Happens If You Eat Spoiled Mozzarella
  • Can You Eat Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?
  • What Happens If You Eat Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?
  • Is Moldy Mozzarella Safe to Eat?
  • Can You Eat Moldy Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
• Scrap Mozzarella if its Moldy? Not So Fast…
• FAQs

Can Mozzarella Get Moldy?

Yes, like most foods, mozzarella can grow bacteria and acquire molds that can make you ill.

This is especially true of mozzarella made from fresh milk or cheese that is soft. This mold can also affect the flavor of your cheese, and make it less desirable to eat.

Mozzarella Mold: What’s the Risk?

Moldy cheese isn’t just unpleasant to look at. It also poses real dangers, especially to those with compromised immune systems. But what you may not know is that different types of mozzarella cheese might pose different risks, depending on what form it is.

Let us explain.

[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”yiWQDozE” upload-date=”2022-12-06T15:13:38.000Z” name=”Moldy Mozzarella” description=”Is moldy mozzarella cheese bad? It can be! Cheeses with mold on them pose risks to human health, but some types of cheese pose more risks than others. In this video, we’ll explore the different types of mozzarella cheeses and assess whether or not the mold that grows on them should concern you.” player-type=”default” override-embed=”default”]

Certain foods, such as soft and fresh cheeses, should be chucked when you notice mold growth. This is because the mold that you see on the surfaces of these types of foods penetrates deeper into the food than other types.

However, if you see mold on hard cheese, like parmesan, there are things you can do to make the cheese edible. If you’ve ever asked, “Can you cut mold off mozzarella cheese?” the answer is yes. But only if the cheese is in its hard form.

To do so, simply cut one inch below and around the mold spot to ensure you’ve gotten all of the molds out. Also, be careful not to touch the mold with your knife. Doing so may contaminate it.

Can I Use Shredded Mozzarella Cheese If Some of it Was Moldy?

We’ve talked about soft and hard cheeses, but what about shredded? What risks does molded shredded cheese pose?

Similar to soft cheese, it is recommended that you discard cheese that was shredded once you notice mold developing. This also applies to cheese that is sliced.

Can Moldy Mozzarella Cheese Make You Sick?

Yes, it can.

If mold appears on your cheese and you choose to eat that mold, you are putting yourself at risk for illness.

What you may not know, however, is that moldy cheese isn’t as threatening to your health as many think. In fact, some types of mold are safe to eat, and won’t cause most people issues.

Still, if you have a compromised immune system, you may react differently to the moldy part of cheese than others. Therefore, we advise people not eat moldy cheese to avoid any associated risks.

What Happens If You Eat Cooked Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?

What happens when you eat cooked moldy mozzarella cheese? You may be wondering if it is safe to eat the moldy part of cheese after it has been cooked. After all, cooking destroys bacteria right? Well, sort of.

Technically, the USDA doesn’t recommend that you consume the moldy area of any hard cheese, but they claim that the rest of the cheese will be fine. If you accidentally put some of the molded cheese in your supper, you’ll likely be okay, as mold spores and harmful bacteria may be killed at higher temperatures.

Just try not to make it a habit!

How to Tell if Mozzarella Is Bad

To know if your cheese is bad, consider the following:

• Mold Spot on Cheese: Once a mold spot appears on your cheese, it’s time to take action. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pitch it, but you’ll want to cut the molded part out and keep an eye on the rest of the cheese to make sure it is still safe to eat. (Remember that if your mozzarella is soft, you’ll want to throw it out at the first sign of mold.)

• Weird Smell: If you notice that your cheese has developed an off-smell, take notice. A sharp, sour, or putrid smell is bad news coming from mozzarella. Generally, mozzarella cheese has a very mild odor. Any strong offensive odors coming from cheeses may be alerting you that something is off. Note: If you notice mold on cheeses, try not to smell that area. Doing so may trigger asthma in some individuals and may aggravate any pre-existing respiratory conditions.

• Change in Taste: Old mozzarella will suffer in terms of taste when it is expired. The flavor will grow bitter and sour over time. If you notice your cheese taking on a strange taste, it may be time to scrap it.

• Change in Texture: Fresh mozzarella cheeses may take on a mushy texture when it grows old. Hard mozzarella may even get harder and become somewhat translucent. When this occurs, it may be a sign that your mozzarella is ready to kick the bucket. Opt for other fresh cheeses instead if you’re able.

• Change in Color: Lastly, if you notice your cheese changing colors, you’ll want to take notice. Mold on cheese can take on a variety of hues. The includes blue mold on mozzarella cheese, green mold on mozzarella cheese, and white mold on mozzarella cheese. To be safe, we advise you avoid eating any rainbow-colored cheeses.

I Ate Moldy Mozzarella Cheese

You may be surprised to learn that most molds do not pose a major threat to health. Still, certain cheeses, especially raw milk varieties, may pose a risk for salmonella exposure and may carry other risks as well.

Thus, it is best you avoid eating moldy or old mozzarella cheese whenever you are able.

Can I Eat Mozzarella With Mold on it?

Remember that mold spores will reach further into old cheese that is soft, shredded, or sliced. Therefore, whether or not you eat cheese with mold on it is up to you, but really we wouldn’t advise it.

If, however, you want to use moldy mozzarella on pizza, you can. But again, it isn’t recommended. Though some mold spores can be killed at high temperatures, we’re not sure how appetizing moldy pizza cheese sounds when you’re really hungry. Still, if you’ve got cheese on hand that you want to get rid of, you may consider discarding the moldy areas and only using the parts that are safe to eat.

Remember that cooked moldy mozzarella cheese may be safe for consumption, however, you should exercise caution when doing so. Keep in mind that most molded cheeses will change in taste and texture. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect cooked mozzarella with mold to taste as good as it would, fresh.

Note: If you tend to have issues digesting milk in cheese, eating moldy mozzarella is likely to only compound the issue.

What Happens If You Eat Spoiled Mozzarella

Is it okay to eat moldy mozzarella cheese? If you do, you’ll probably be fine. But as we stated before, don’t push it.

Because everyone reacts differently to mold and expired food products, it’s best to discard your cheese rather than take the risk. If you consume cheese that has dangerous mycotoxins often found in mold compounds, then you could be putting your health in danger.

Mycotoxins have been linked to immune deficiency and cancer. Therefore, you really are taking a risk when you consume certain molds; even if the risk is low.

Can You Eat Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?

If the cheese is hard, try cutting off the molded section. After this, it should be fine to eat the rest.

Throw away any moldy mozzarella cheese that is fresh, soft, shredded, or sliced.

What Happens If You Eat Moldy Mozzarella Cheese?

Eating moldy mozzarella cheeses may make you sick if you choose to eat them.

We recommend avoiding eating these cheeses, but if the cheese is hard you can cut around the molded part.

Is Moldy Mozzarella Safe to Eat?

Some individuals with compromised immune systems or respiratory issues may not wish to consume molded cheeses. If you are a healthy adult, you may be able to consume moldy cheese with no issues. But every person is different.

Can You Eat Moldy Fresh Mozzarella Cheese

It isn’t recommended that you eat moldy fresh mozzarella cheese. When the cheese is fresh it is much softer. Therefore, mold can penetrate deeper into cheeses of this type and the harmful bacteria can end up making you very sick.

Scrap Mozzarella if its Moldy? Not So Fast…

While moldy mozzarella cheese is certainly a cause for concern, the truth is that it really depends on the type of cheese you are using as to whether or not you should pitch it. Know that you can cut around moldy parts of hard cheese and eat the rest. If the cheese is sliced do shredded, however, you’ll want to throw it out.

Be very careful if you decide to eat mold on cheese; it can cause adverse effects in some people, and can even cause irreversible illness in some.

FAQs