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The Daily Insight

Can you still eat mozzarella with mold?

Author

Emily Sparks

Published Apr 08, 2026

Can you still eat mozzarella with mold?

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. Cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) around and below the moldy spot. These molds are safe for healthy adults to eat.

What happens if you eat moldy shredded mozzarella 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.

Will mold on cheese make you sick?

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.

How do you store mozzarella cheese?

The best way to keep mozzarella fresh is to store it in the refrigerator in a container of cold water. Change the water daily. Store mozzarella cheese in the refrigerator at a temperature between 34 degrees F.

Is it OK to eat expired cheese?

Cheese. If you think about how cheese is made and aged, you might be more apt to believe it’s the kind of food that doesn’t always go bad after its expiration date. Even if there is a little mold growing, consuming “expired” cheese can be safe — as long as you cut off the mold and it still smells alright.

Is it safe to eat spoiled mozzarella cheese?

Eating spoiled cheese can be hazardous to your health. The bacteria and mold that forms on soft cheeses like mozzarella may or may not be toxic to humans, so its better to be safe and avoid any possible problems. Robert Morello has an extensive travel, marketing and business background.

Is it safe to eat cheese with mold in it?

Of course, not all molds pose a risk. Some types of mold are used to make cheeses, such as Brie and Camembert. These molds are safe for healthy adults to eat. However, these cheeses, as well as other soft cheeses and cheeses made with unpasteurized milk, are best avoided by people…

How can I tell if my mozzarella cheese has mold?

Visually inspect your mozzarella cheese for signs of mold. Mold forms when cheese begins to be broken down by bacteria. Most cheese mold is green or blue in color and will be clearly visible to the naked eye against the off-white color of the cheese.

How big should you cut off moldy cheese?

Cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) around and below the moldy spot. Be sure to keep the knife out of the mold, so it doesn’t contaminate other parts of the cheese.

What happens if you eat moldy mozzarella 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.

Is it safe to trim mold from mozzarella?

Don’t attempt to trim the mold from mozzarella cheese. Mold growing on hard, low-moisture cheeses, such as cheddar, Parmesan and Swiss, can be safely trimmed. However, food safety specialists at Clemson University Extension warn that bacteria may permeate beneath the surface of mozzarella and other semi-soft, higher-moisture cheeses.

What kind of bacteria can you get from moldy 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, such as cheddar, colby, Parmesan and Swiss.

Is it safe to eat mozzarella cheese in the fridge?

If mozzarella cheese tastes fine, it is safe to eat. Wrap mozzarella cheese tightly when storing it in the refrigerator because the cheese absorbs flavors and odors from other foods. Store the cheese away from meat to prevent possible contamination.