Eating moldy bread can potentially make you sick due to the presence of mold and harmful toxins called mycotoxins that some molds produce. These toxins can cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever. In some cases, allergic reactions like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath may occur, especially in people sensitive to mold or with mold allergies. More severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are rare but possible

. The risk of illness increases if you have a weakened immune system, are very young, elderly, pregnant, or have certain medical conditions like poorly controlled diabetes. In these groups, mold exposure can lead to serious infections, including a rare but severe fungal infection called mucormycosis

. It is important to note that mold roots and spores can penetrate deeply into bread, so simply cutting off the visible mold does not make the rest of the bread safe to eat. The entire loaf should be discarded to avoid exposure to mycotoxins and harmful bacteria that may accompany mold

. If you accidentally eat moldy bread and develop symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or allergic reactions, you should seek medical advice. Symptoms can appear immediately or be delayed

. To prevent mold growth, store bread properly-freezing bread is recommended for longer storage instead of refrigeration, which can cause bread to dry out and does not prevent mold as effectively

. Summary:

• Eating moldy bread can cause food poisoning symptoms and allergic reactions.
• Mycotoxins produced by mold can be harmful and potentially toxic.
• People with weakened immune systems or allergies are at higher risk.
• Do not eat bread with visible mold; discard the whole loaf.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms develop after eating moldy bread.

This advice aligns with recommendations from the USDA, CDC, and medical experts