What is Mold in Food Caused By?

Molds are microscopic fungi that travel and spawn through the use of tiny seeds called spores. There may be up to 300,000 species of fungi, some of which you will discover on the leftovers tucked into the back corner of your refrigerator. Does this Spark an idea?

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Moist Environments
- Mold grows on any surface that supports its spores. Moist environments are ideal, which makes bread, fruit and cheese the perfect hosts.
Features
- The spores lay down root threads, which draw nutrition from the food source to grow a stalk. New spores form at the end of the stalk, which gives mold its color.
Spreading Mold
- Cutting the visible mold out of bread does not make it safe. Mold spreads its thin roots throughout the surface of its host; often there is bacteria growing along with the mold.
Ideal Environment
- Food left out in warm and humid conditions is most prone for spawning mold, although the fungi can thrive in the refrigerator too.
Hardy Spores
- Mold is stronger than many strains of bacteria and other food contaminants, and can withstand high levels of salt and sugar in food.

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