Can you eat feta cheese with mold?

In this brief guide, we will address the query, “can you eat feta cheese with mold?” We will also discuss what causes feta cheese to get moldy, how to tell if feta cheese has gone bad, and what may happen if you consume feta cheese with mold. 

Can you eat feta cheese with mold?

No, you cannot eat feta cheese with mold. Feta cheese can develop mold after a while, just like any other food. But the thing with feta cheese is that it is considered a soft cheese, so the mold spores will spread easily over the whole feta cheese (1,2).

If you happen to consume moldy cheese, you will also ingest some detrimental bacteria that can lead to food poisoning, which is known by their annoying symptoms, that if severe enough can be lethal (3).

What causes feta cheese to get moldy?

Feta cheese is susceptible to mold growth due to the presence of moisture, a porous texture, and its high salt content. Mold spores, commonly found in the environment, can land on the cheese’s surface and germinate, exploiting the favorable conditions for growth (2). 

The milk used for the production of cheese may contain heat-resistant spores which can cause spoilage in heat processed cheeses even when they are pasteurized. Mold spores can appear later as visible molds on the cheese since raw milk cheese is made from unpasteurised milk (2).

One of the main sources of contamination during the production of cheese is the air, which is contaminated with mold spores on a variety of levels (2). 

Additionally, if the cheese is not adequately stored in a cool and dry environment or handled with proper hygiene, these combined factors create conditions conducive to mold development on the surface and even within the cheese, leading to its moldy appearance (2).

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How can you properly store feta cheese?

To properly store feta cheese, you can keep it in its original packaging when unopened or tightly wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent exposure to air. As an alternative, place a moist paper towel over it and store it in an airtight container when opened (4,5). 

Since feta cheese is a soft type of cheese, it should be stored in the refrigerator at temperature between 35 and 40 ºF (1 ºC and 4 ºC) to inhibit microbial growth, and make sure the humidity level in the refrigerator is moderately low, as high humidity can encourage the growth of mold (4,5). 

When refrigerated, soft cheeses can last for 1 week.To prevent feta cheese from absorbing undesirable flavors from other foods, store it away from strong-smelling foods (4). 

Another option is to freeze feta cheese, by doing this you can keep it for at least 6 months (4).

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for mold or other signs of deterioration on the cheese, and throw it away if any is found.

How can you tell if feta cheese has gone bad?

To tell if feta cheese has gone bad, you should check for spoilage signs before consuming it.

Some signs that indicate feta cheese has spoiled are (1,2,3):

  • If the texture has become dry, hard, and gritty, do not consume it. Maybe you will have no food poisoning symptoms, but the taste and texture will be a huge no.
  • If you notice any sign of mold, do not consume it by any means. As feta cheese is a soft cheese, mold can easily infect all over the whole piece of feta cheese.
  • If you notice a bad smell, it is probably spoiled. Do not consume any cheese with a sour, or unpleasant smell.

What happens if you have consumed feta cheese with mold on it?

Consuming feta cheese with mold on it can pose health risks, especially for certain individuals. Mold-contaminated cheese may contain mycotoxins, which are toxic substances produced by some molds. 

If you ingest mycotoxins you can have adverse health effects such as gastrointestinal problems, allergic reactions, and in severe cases, mycotoxicosis (2,6). 

Most of the time, you will be okay after eating food with mold, however, you can exhibit some food poisoning symptoms, such as (7):

  • Fever
  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of breath

If not controlled, or in case of severe food poisoning, eating feta cheese with mold can be lethal.

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have addressed the query, “can you eat feta cheese with mold?” We have also discussed what causes feta cheese to get moldy, how to tell if feta cheese has gone bad and what may happen if you consume feta cheese with mold. 

References 

1. Geronikou, A., et al. Occurrence of Yeasts in White-Brined Cheeses: Methodologies for Identification, Spoilage Potential and Good Manufacturing Practices. Frontiers in Microbiology, 2020, 11:582778.

2. Kure, C.F., Skaar, I. The fungal problem in cheese industry. Current Opinion in Food Science, 2019, 29.

3. Choi, K.H., et al. Cheese Microbial Risk Assessments – A Review. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci. 2016, 29(3):307-14.

4. Does all cheese need to be refrigerated?. USDA, 2023.

5. How long can you keep dairy products like yogurt, milk, and cheese in the refrigerator?. USDA, 2023.

6. What are Mycotoxins?. USDA, 2018. 

7. What You Need to Know about Foodborne Illnesses. FDA, 2022.

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