Moldy cheese can be safe to eat, depending on the type of cheese and the extent of the mold growth. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Soft cheeses: Soft cheeses like cottage cheese, cream cheese, and ricotta should be discarded if they have mold on them, as mold can spread quickly in these cheeses.

• Shredded, crumbled, or sliced cheeses: If mold is present on these types of cheeses, the entire bag or container should be thrown out, as the mold can send threads throughout the cheese and contaminate more than what is visible.

• Hard and semisoft cheeses: Mold generally cannot penetrate far into hard and semisoft cheeses like cheddar, colby, Parmesan, and Swiss. Therefore, it is safe to cut away the moldy part and eat the rest of the cheese, as long as you cut off at least 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) around and below the moldy spot and keep the knife out of the mold to prevent contamination.

• Moldy cheese with visible roots: If you see visible roots or threads on the cheese, it is best to discard it, as the mold has likely spread throughout the cheese.

• Moldy cheese with a bad smell or taste: If the cheese smells or tastes bad, it is best to discard it, as it may be contaminated with harmful bacteria.

• Moldy cheese and health risks: Eating a small amount of moldy cheese will probably not cause health problems for most people. However, some molds can produce mycotoxins, which are poisonous substances that can make you sick and even kill you. Therefore, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard moldy cheese if you are unsure about its safety.

In summary, it is generally safe to eat hard and semisoft cheeses with mold on them, as long as you cut away the moldy part and keep the knife out of the mold. However, soft cheeses and shredded, crumbled, or sliced cheeses with mold should be discarded. If you are unsure about the safety of moldy cheese, it is best to discard it to avoid any potential health risks.