What happens when mold grows on cheese?
John Thompson
Published Apr 08, 2026
What happens when mold grows on 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.
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.
Do you have to throw out moldy cheese?
Mold can grow in all types of food, and cheese is no exception. When mold appears on food, it typically means that you should throw it out. However, that may not always be the case with cheese.
Why do you need mold to make cheese?
Part of a cheesemaker’s job is to carefully manage the species of mold that are added to their cheese. Mold needs to grow in the right place and at the right time in order to create the flavors and textures we love and can safely digest.
Is it safe to eat blue cheese with mold?
Types of Molds. Some fungi can get all of the nutrition they need to grow by developing on cheese. Mold types of the family Penicillium, which produce blue-green spores that give the mold its color. Most types of Penicillium are harmless and, in fact, are often used to give the Blue Cheeses their color and flavor, so they are very safe to eat.
What is the most common mold that grows on cheese?
In fact, particular kinds of cheese require mold during their production. The most common types of mold used to grow cheese are Penicillium (P.) roqueforti, P. glaucum, and P. candidum. These molds help develop unique flavors and textures by eating the proteins and sugars in the milk, resulting in chemical changes ( 1, 2, 3
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.