Eating a little mold by accident usually causes no serious harm, but it can sometimes trigger stomach upset or an allergic-type reaction. The main symptoms to watch for are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, itching, or a runny nose.

What can happen

Molds can produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins, which may cause nausea, cramping, and vomiting, and some toxins are not destroyed by cooking. If the food was only slightly moldy and you ate a small amount, you’ll often be fine, but people with weaker immune systems can be at higher risk of complications from mold exposure.

What to do

  • Stop eating the food right away.
  • Rinse your mouth and drink some water.
  • Watch for symptoms over the next several hours to a day.
  • Get medical help sooner if you develop trouble breathing, severe vomiting, blood in your stool, or symptoms that keep getting worse.

When to worry

You should be more cautious if the mold was on soft foods like bread, fruit, or leftovers, because mold can spread beyond what you can see. If you’re pregnant, immunocompromised, or you ate a large amount and feel sick, it’s smart to call a clinician or poison control for personalized advice.

If you want, I can also give you a very short “what to do right now” checklist.