What's That Rash? Should you cut or chuck mouldy food?
Aug 19, 2025
The hosts tackle the age-old dilemma of moldy food with a fun game, 'Cut or Chuck.' They explore the fascinating duality of mold, celebrating its culinary use while warning about dangerous mycotoxins. Dive into the history of penicillin's discovery and its cultural implications. The discussion also unpacks the evolutionary role of disgust, emphasizing its importance in health behaviors. Plus, learn the truth behind mold safety and the health risks associated with exposure. It's a moldy adventure worth your attention!
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Molds Can Produce Dangerous Toxins
- Many molds produce mycotoxins and some are carcinogenic, like aflatoxin linked to liver cancer.
- Historical outbreaks show contaminated grain (ergot) can cause severe, sometimes fatal, poisoning.
Handle Soft vs Hard Foods Differently
- Avoid eating soft foods with visible mold; throw them out because mold threads penetrate soft textures.
- Cut mold off hard cheeses down to clean margin and keep the rest, since mold rarely infiltrates hard cheese.
Origin Story Of Penicillin's Mass Production
- Alexander Fleming noticed a halo where bacterial colonies wouldn't touch Penicillium mold and called the substance penicillin.
- Mary Hunt later found a moldy cantaloupe strain 200 times stronger, enabling mass production of penicillin.