Describe how to prevent mold growth in food.
Buying small amounts and using food quickly is probably the best way to
prevent mold growth in food. However, there are other practices that you
can implement to prevent mold growth in food.
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Examine food well before you buy it. Check food in glass jars, look at
the stem areas on fresh produce, and avoid bruised produce. Fresh meat
and poultry are usually mold free, but cured and cooked eats might not
be. Examine them carefully. The exception is that some salamis -- San
Francisco, Italian, and Eastern European types -- have a
characteristic thin, white mold coating that is safe to consume;
however, they should not show any other mold. Dry-cured country hams
normally have surface mold that must be scrubbed off before cooking.
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When serving food, keep it covered to prevent exposure to mold spores
in the air. Use plastic wrap to cover foods you want to stay moist --
fresh or cut fruits and vegetables and green and mixed salads.
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Empty opened cans of perishable foods into clean storage containers
and refrigerate them promptly. Make sure that the storage container is
tightly covered.
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Use leftovers within 3 to 4 days so mold does not have a chance to
grow.
Cleanliness is the key to controlling mold. Mold spores from
contaminated food can build up in your refrigerator, dishcloths, and
other cleaning utensils. To eliminate mold:
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Clean the inside of the refrigerator every few months with one
tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in a quart of water. Rinse with
clear water and dry. Scrub visible mold (usually black) on rubber
casings using three teaspoons of bleach in a quart of water.
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Keep dishclothes towels, sponges, and mops clean and fresh. A musty
smell means they are spreading mold around. Discard items you cannot
clean or launder.
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Keep the humidity level in the house below 40%.
Source:
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2002. Molds on Food:
Are They Dangerous. Available at: www.fsis.usda.gov/oa/pubs/molds.pdf
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