Expert: Carol Schlitt - 11/7/2006

Question
I had a pack of 6 donetts from hostess I ate 2 of them than discovered there was mold on it that I ate, is this dangerous? should I contact my Doctor?

Answer
Hi Jim,

Some molds on food can cause allergic reactions and respiratory problems for those that are sensitive to mold. And a few molds, in the right conditions, produce “mycotoxins,” poisonous substances that can make you sick.

Some molds can produce hair-like projections that can work their way down into soft foods like cream cheese, cottage cheese, jelly, soft fruits,etc.  The current recommendation is to throw out soft foods with mold. Harder foods, such as natural cheese and sausages, can be cut off and the food still consumed. The feeling is that these hair-like projections can not work their way into these hard foods. Cutting off 1/2 to 1-inch below the mold is considered safe.

Now...back to your donetts. Did you just purchase these donetts or were they purchased previously and held in your kitchen?  Also, do you have the wrapper?

I ask these questions because if they were recently purchased then both the store you purchased them from and Hostess should be notified of moldy products.  Hostess will want to know the coding from the wrapper.

Unless you show any symptoms, such as respiratory problems,I would not call your doctor. I would though contact Hostess if the product was within their freshness date period.

For an excellent, research based article on molds on foods, please see this website:  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Molds_On_Food/index.asp

I hope this has helped, Jim.  Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Carol C. Schlitt
Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness
University of Illinois Extension