The best way to know if moldy cheese is damaged and can’t be eaten is to check if the texture or aroma is different from the ones you had when it was purchased.
In the case of fresh, creamy, grated and sliced cheeses with mold on the surface, it is difficult to enjoy from the inside because fungi and bacteria spread rapidly within this type of cheese and therefore all the cheese must be thrown away. . In hard and refined cheeses, such as parmesan or gouda, the damaged surface can be removed and the rest of the cheese eaten safely, as this type of cheese has less moisture and makes it difficult to grow microorganisms, without spoiling the rest. Cheese.
- Cottage cheese.
- Cream cheese.
- Fresh Minas cheese.
- Cottage cheese and ricotta cheese are examples of creamy fresh cheeses with high humidity and should be discarded immediately if they show signs of rot.
- Such as changes in taste.
- Redness or mold.
- Such as fungi and bacteria.
- Spread quickly for this type of cheese.
Mozzarella, flat, Swiss, gouda, parmesan and provolone, are examples of harder and more refined cheeses, with less humidity, that do not completely contaminate after the appearance of mold. Therefore, they can be consumed whenever the contaminated part is removed. When removing the contaminated part, remove a few more centimeters around it, even if the cheese still looks good. This prevents the consumption of toxins or small mold shoots that have not yet fully spread.
Roquefort, gorgonzola, camembert and brie are blue or soft cheeses that are made with different species of mushrooms. Therefore, the presence of mold in this type of cheese is normal, but if it looks different than normal, its consumption is not recommended, especially after the expiration date.
To determine if cheese is still good to eat, it’s important to
1. Don’t eat expired cheese
Expired cheese should not be consumed as the manufacturer is no longer responsible for the safe consumption of this product. So discard the cheese and don’t eat it, even if the cheese is apparently good.
2. Look at the scent
Cheeses usually have a mild aroma, except for special cheeses, such as Roquefort and Gorgonzola, which have a very strong smell. So always be careful that a cheese has a very different smell than usual. If this happens, avoid eating it, even in its cooked form.
3. Check the appearance and texture
Appearance and texture are aspects that change a lot depending on the type of cheese. Therefore, knowing the normal characteristics of the cheese in question is very important. In case of doubt, consult with a dealer or specialist manufacturer to know exactly how the cheese should look on the expiry date: soft or hard, with or without mold, with a strong or soft smell, among other features.
If the cheese looks different from the one usually has, it is advisable to discard it, even if it is within the validity period. In this case, it is always possible to file a complaint directly with the distributor, such as supermarkets, the manufacturer or the body responsible for consumer rights.
To preserve the cheese and make it last longer, the ideal temperature is 5 to 10 degrees Celsius for any type of cheese. Despite this, some cheeses, such as provolone and Parmesan cheese, can be kept fresh in a closed package. Once opened, all cheeses should be stored in clean, closed containers inside the refrigerator, such as a cheese shop. This prevents the cheese from drying and deteriorating easily.
When choosing where to buy and where the cheese comes from, check if the refrigerator is on. Avoid buying cheese in hot, sweltering areas and on the beach, as inappropriate places can store cheese at inappropriate temperatures and spoil the product. Therefore, avoid buying cheeses at street fairs and vendors and prefer to buy them in safe establishments, such as supermarkets and bakeries.
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting are symptoms that can occur when eating rotten cheese. Foodborne infections or poisonings are foodborne illnesses that usually occur when food is overdue or when it has not been stored properly.
In addition, discomfort often goes unnoticed and is not related to food. Therefore, only the most severe cases reach doctors and rarely result in death. If you suspect contamination with rotten cheese, stay hydrated with plenty of water and immediately find a service station. Taking the package or a piece of ingested cheese can help with a medical diagnosis.