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• What Are Molds?
• Are Some Molds Dangerous?
• Are Molds Only on the Surface of Food?
• Where Are Molds Found?
• What Are Some Common Foodborne Molds?
• What Are Mycotoxins?
• What is Aflatoxin?
• How Does the U.S. Government Control Aflatoxins?
• Is Mushroom Poisoning Caused by Molds?
• Are Any Food Molds Beneficial?
• Why Can Mold Grow in the Refrigerator?
• How Can You Minimize Mold Growth?
• Don’t Buy Moldy Foods
• Must Homemade Shelf-Stable Preserves be Water-Bath Processed?
• How Can You Protect Food from Mold?
• How Should You Handle Food with Mold on It?

Where Are Molds Found?

Molds are found in virtually every environment and can be detected, both indoors and outdoors, year round. Mold growth is encouraged by warm and humid conditions. Outdoors, they can be found in shady, damp areas or places where leaves or other vegetation are decomposing. Indoors, they can be found where humidity levels are high.

Molds form spores which, when dry, float through the air and find suitable conditions where they can start the growth cycle again.

USDA United States Department of Agriculture
Food Saftey and Inspection Service
http://www.fsis.usda.gov
September 2005