If you accidentally eat moldy food, the general consensus is to throw it out if you can visibly see mold on it. However, if you do eat moldy food, youll probably be okay, and your digestive and immune systems should take care of it. Nevertheless, some molds can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems, and other molds can produce poisonous toxins that can make you sick. If you suddenly develop symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, an elevated temperature, or diarrhea, you should immediately seek medical help. Although cutting off the mold seems like an easy solution, it might not be the best course of action because theres no way of knowing by sight whether a mold is safe or harmful. Some molds can actually be very toxic to human beings, and they can also cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems. If you cut off the mold, other harmful substances could still be left behind. The decision to trim or toss a moldy food comes down to its moisture content, and roots can shoot down deeper in soft, moist foods. Therefore, its best to err on the side of caution and throw out moldy food, except for long-lasting hard cheeses, cured meats, and certain fruits and vegetables.