What Happens if You Eat Moldy Bread, and What to Do if You Eat It

Many loaves of bread, like those deliciously seedy sprouted options or ones packed with sourdough, provide a bunch of beneficial ingredients that increase your daily protein intake and help feed your gut with tons of fiber.

The only problem? Since fresh bread contains fewer preservatives than the sliced Wonderwhatever-style loaves you find in the supermarket, they don’t tend to last as long — and accidentally taking a big ol’ bite of a PB&M sandwich (you know, peanut butter and mold) can happen to the best of us.

So, what happens if you eat moldy bread? And is it an emergency?

Will I Get Sick From Eating Moldy Bread?

Molds are microscopic fungi that live on plant or animal matter. They’re filamentous organisms that produce spores, which gives them the color you can see, aka that lovely green-speckled pattern often visible to the naked eye.

The most awful part about eating mold is probably realizing you ate it. And even though it might make you gag, being grossed out is typically the worst outcome.

But in larger doses, or over longer periods, mold consumption can cause health issues.

What to Do if You Accidentally Eat Moldy Bread

In all likelihood, nothing bad will happen to you if you eat moldy bread, especially if you have a healthy immune system. But you should take several precautions if you find mold on your bread after eating some.

No solution applies to all types of mold exposure, as the onset of sickness can depend on a few factors, like predisposed sensitivities or allergies to mold, the amount you ingest or inhaled, and the type of mold you eat.

Monitor for Immediate and Delayed Reactions: Recognizing Symptoms

If you eat mold, monitor for symptoms throughout the day once you’ve ingested the food, especially since you can develop a delayed reaction.

Don’t Sniff the Bread

Seek immediate medical attention if severe symptoms begin to develop.

Don’t Eat the Rest of the Slice

Although eating a small, accidental amount of most mold isn’t likely to cause harm, identifying which mold you’ve eaten isn’t possible for most people. Plus, if moisture on bread has led to mold growth, you’re also eating bacteria.

How to Handle Moldy Food

So, what’s the best way to handle mold on bread or food in general? Well, it depends on the type of mold and the type of food.

Because of that, you could cut out the yucky spots and enjoy the rest if you want to. But if you’re not sure, don’t take the chance.

If you can see mold on food, there’s a good chance it has also developed some form of bacteria by that point, which means, mycotoxin or not, you could still get sick. So, when in doubt, it’s simply better to play it safe and find another nutritious snack.

How to Store Bread so It Doesn’t Grow Mold

You can prevent mold from forming in the first place by storing your bread and keeping it fresh for longer.

“The best place to store bread is in a cool, dry place in your kitchen,” says Melissa Rifkin, RD, a registered dietitian based in Ridgefield, Connecticut. “This is where bread boxes come in handy since they only allow a small amount of air to circulate, keeping the bread from molding.”

She adds that if your counter space is limited, a cabinet will work, too. “When storing bread in a bread box, cabinet, or drawer, just make sure the location is not near a heat-producing appliance. Placing your bread on top of a fridge or next to the stovetop that produces heat is a sure way to increase mold production.”

On the other hand, Rifkin notes that another way to keep mold from sprouting on your bread as easily is to store it in the freezer.

“You can thaw individual slices of bread overnight in the fridge before you plan to use the next day,” she says. “If you’re worried about mold, waste, or storage options, go small: Cut your recipes in half and freeze whatever you’re not using to enjoy at a later date.”

If your bread is stale but hasn’t started getting moldy yet, don’t throw it out just yet.

“If your bread has become stale, you can toast it, then pulse it in a food processor to create breadcrumbs to use in recipes,” Rifkin says. She also likes using stale bread to make croutons by cutting it into cubes, tossing them with olive oil, and baking them in the oven.

These tips can help your bread last longer and prevent mold from forming as quickly, but if you do discover you’re munching on mold, don’t freak out: You’ll probably be okay.

The Takeaway

• If you accidentally eat moldy bread, keep an eye out for symptoms like nausea or shortness of breath. Consult a healthcare professional if they develop.
• Most mold exposure from food is not harmful, but people with mold allergies should be more cautious due to possible severe reactions.
• Avoid sniffing moldy bread to prevent breathing in mold spores, which can be harmful, especially for those with asthma.
• To prevent mold growth, store bread in a cool, dry place, or freeze it if you plan on using it later. Always discard bread if any part of it is moldy.