The discussion has ignited a well-preserved debate for both high-end and homemade products alike: whether you might be OK to just scrape off the visible mold and enjoy the rest.
Despite some high-profile people (such as formerUK Prime Minister Theresa May) confessing to eating around fuzzy fungus on their preserves, experts say you shouldn't follow their lead.
Not all molds are dangerous (and some, like those used to make cheese, are in fact delicious), but it's best to avoid any mold that hasn't intentionally been added to your food.
According to the USDA, visible mold is only part of the developing organism that's made its home inside your jam jar. Where the white or green fuzzy is seen on the surface, the mold has also grown root threads below. These aren't always apparent, but can contain some dangerous and downright toxic compounds.
For instance, some types of foods, specifically grapes and apples, are known to host poisonous types of mold substances known as mycotoxins, according to the USDA. If ingested, they can cause gastrointestinal issues and vomiting in the short terms, and potentially damage organs like your kidneys and liver and/or increase risk of cancer in the long term, according to the World Health Organization.
As such, microbiologists strongly urge you to discard any jams or jellies that contain visible mold, even if it's only seen on the surface, per the USDA.
But even if your food doesn't specifically host mycotoxin-producing mold types, visible mold can also signal other potential issues with jam (and other canned goods) since the fact that mold was able to grow there suggests it was improperly heated or sealed, and could be home to other types of bacteria or fungus. So you'd still have to worry about food poisoning at the very least, according to the Healthy Canning website.
Finally, a word on the sniff test, a common method of checking whether food has gone off.
If your jam or jelly has visible mold on it, don't lean into the jar and take an exploratory whiff. First, you can already see it's begun to rot and this is likely to be unpleasant. Second, this can allow any meandering moldy spores a one-way ticket into your respiratory system, according to USDA. They don't belong there anymore than they do in your digestive system.
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FAQs
Some are wondering if it's OK to still eat jam or jelly, whether high-end or homemade, as long as you scrape off any visible mold. However, jam and jelly can host toxin-producing mold species that can be hazardous to your health, according to microbiologists, so you should discard any moldy jam immediately.
Is it safe to scrape the mold off jam? ›
It is not a safe practice to scrape the mold off the surface of sweet spreads and use what's left in the jar. Poisons called mycotoxins, which are known to cause cancer in animals, have been found in some jars of jelly with surface mold growth.
Is it safe to eat jelly with mold? ›
However, when it comes to jams, jellies, and preserves, even a small bit of mold usually means that it's best to throw away the whole jar.
What happens if I ate moldy jam? ›
But if that hunk of mold you ingested is causing you to experience any physical problems at all—including vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems, or any pain—it's best to see a doctor. This is because of how much mycotoxins can mess up the body.
What happens if you eat fluffy mold? ›
If someone were to consume a large amount of mold, they might experience nausea, indigestion, cramping and possibly diarrhea, Lee said. But these symptoms are not inherently a bad thing, she explained. "It's your body's protective mechanism kicking in and trying to get rid of the agent out of your body."
Can you just scrape off mold? ›
According to food safety experts, you have to check the color of the mold to find out if it's okay to scrape it off and eat the rest of the product. If the color is pale blue or white, you can scrape it off and if it's black, green, yellow or orange, please throw the whole product in the garbage.
Can you wipe off mold? ›
Use an old, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away any loose mold or debris from the surface. (Remove the cloth from the room afterward.) Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the vinegar and water mixture directly onto the moldy surface, allowing it to sit for at least 10 to 15 minutes.
Can you remove mold from food and still eat it? ›
Microbiologists recommend against scooping out the mold and using the remaining condiment. (such as cabbage, bell peppers, carrots, etc.) Use. Cut off at least 1 inch around and below the mold spot (keep the knife out of the mold itself so it will not cross-contaminate other parts of the produce).
What are the white specks in jelly? ›
When jelly goes bad, it grows a white, fluffy mold. If you were French, you would scrape it off and keep eating the jelly! If the chatter sees the specks throughout the jelly, not just on the surface, that could be crystallized pectin. That will affect the texture but is not a sign of spoilage.
What is the white film on top of jam? ›
Usually that thin, white film is jelled foam. If your fruit was foamy in the sauce pan and you didn't skim the foam off, or if your mixture had a lot of air in it and you didn't do air releasing before putting the jam in the jars, the foam or tiny air bubbles rise to the top of the jar and form that white film.
The average person likely won't get sick from ingesting small amounts of mold, the experts note. However, eating larger quantities of mold may result in some nausea or stomach upset. Chances are you won't be able to eat very much because people naturally tend to avoid food that's spoiled, Wee explains.
Why does my jelly have mold? ›
This problem can be caused by a few different issues: The jar lid was not completely sealed. Inspect the lid for a bad glue ring and inspect the glass surface for imperfections. The fill temperature was too low.
Can you eat moldy bread if you toast it? ›
The Bottom Line. You shouldn't eat mold on bread or from a loaf with visible spots. The mold roots can quickly spread through bread, though you can't see them. Eating moldy bread could make you sick, and inhaling spores may trigger breathing problems if you have a mold allergy.
Should I throw everything away if one item in my refrigerator has mold? ›
Don't sniff the moldy item. This can cause respiratory trouble. If food is covered with mold, discard it.
What sickness is caused by mold? ›
These include:
- Mold-induced asthma. In people allergic to mold, breathing in spores can trigger an asthma flare-up. ...
- Allergic fungal sinusitis. This results from an inflammatory reaction to fungus in the sinuses.
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. ...
- Hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Can mold make my family sick? Exposure to mold can cause health effects in some people. Mold spores are always found in the air we breathe, but extensive mold contamination may cause health problems. Breathing mold can cause allergic and respiratory symptoms.
Can mold be removed from jam? ›
Experts on the show explained that jams can go mouldy very easily because many of the options on supermarket shelves today have reduced sugar content. But they add that scooping off any mould and consuming what's underneath is completely safe to do, so long as any mouldy parts are completely gone.
Can you scrape mold off fruit? ›
Firm Fruits and Vegetables
Trim off an inch around the mold, and eat or cook as you planned. Softer fruits and vegetables, like cherries, strawberries, and corn, should be tossed. Mold can easily spread to nearby areas, even if you can't see the spores with your naked eye.
Why did my jam grow mold? ›
This problem can be caused by a few different issues: The jar lid was not completely sealed. Inspect the lid for a bad glue ring and inspect the glass surface for imperfections. The fill temperature was too low.
Can you make jam with moldy berries? ›
If there is mold on the surface of these foods, you should assume they are contaminated within and throw them away, according to the U.S.D.A. Before buying berries, inspect them carefully and avoid purchasing any with even slight signs of mold, Dr.
