Why is mouldy food dangerous?
Why is mouldy food dangerous?
You should not eat mouldy food because it may contain poisonous substances that are produced by the moulds.
Many species of such common moulds as Penicillium and Aspergillus, Alternaria, Fusarium and Cladosporium (blue, green, yellow, pink, red or black moulds) which often grow on bread, cheese, fruit and vegetables, produce these poisons, which are called mycotoxins.
We already know of over 200 kinds of mycotoxin, produced by about 150 different fungi, and more are being discovered every year. Some are toxic at very low doses, and many are heat stable, so you can't get rid of them by cooking the food.
Aflatoxin, produced by a few species of Aspergillus, is the most carcinogenic (cancer-causing) substance known. Ochratoxin, produced by other species of Aspergillus, can cause fatal kidney disease. Don't take a chance -- don't eat mouldy food.
See pictures at Chapter 21 of The Fifth Kingdom
More detailed accounts of mold activities can be found in 11 chapters of the book The Fifth Kingdom