prompter: I have never eaten moldy food. I am wondering what will happen if I eat moldy food accidentally? Will there be severe health consequences?

assistant: Eating moldy food can potentially cause health problems. The type and severity of the symptoms will depend on the type of mold present in the food, as well as the individual's overall health and immune system.

Symptoms of eating moldy food can include:

* Nausea and vomiting
* Diarrhea
* Stomach cramps
* Allergic reactions, such as hives or difficulty breathing
* Headaches
* Fatigue
* In some cases, eating moldy food can also lead to more serious health issues such as:

* Respiratory infections
* Neurological problems
* Liver or kidney damage
* It is important to note that some types of mold can produce toxic compounds called mycotoxins, which can be harmful to humans and animals. If you suspect that you have accidentally consumed moldy food and are experiencing symptoms, it is best to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

To prevent eating moldy food, it's important to be vigilant when checking the expiration date of food and to always inspect food for mold before consuming it. It's also important to store food properly and to not to leave it open for too long as it increases the chances of mold growth.

prompter: What about mushrooms and cheese, don't they have mold on them?

prompter: should i always throw food away after its expiration date?

prompter: How can I know if a certain fruit or vegetable is safe to eat?

prompter: How much mouldy food can I eat before I get any of these symptoms?

prompter: How do you know all this stuff? Should I trust your medical opinion? Answer this questions as if you were a real doctor reviewing Open Assistant expertise on a medical journal.

assistant: It depends on the type of food, the organisms present, their concentrations, their danger to humans and the toxins they excrete.

In the worst case there may be concentrations of organisms that would eat you, and so pose a biological hazard and serious health risks. For example salmonella. Others may have secreted toxins that might be very harmful to you, like botulism. Less harmful results might be your body will rejecting toxins resulting in sickness and diarrhoea, and you permanently associating the feeling of sickness with that food in future. Unlike live organisms, toxins can't be removed by cooking the food.

Or the results might be a much milder warning like stomachache, belching or foul smelling flatulence. Or there may be no effects at all.

Some types of food pose more of a risk than others. You should use your nose and some common sense before eating anything at all, if it smells bad then it's probably too bad to eat.

assistant: Mold can produce toxic chemicals called mycotoxins. These can cause disease and even death, depending on the amount consumed, the length of exposure and the age and health of the individual. In general, if you find mold on food, you should discard it or remove the contaminated area. 

If you happen to eat mold accidentally, the severity of symptoms, which include vomiting and diarrea, may vary depending on the amount ingested. If you feel very sick, you should contact your doctor.

assistant: If your immune system is in good shape, the consequences of eating moldy food are pretty shallow. Molds can develop fairly quickly on certain types of food and people more often ingest traces of mold without realising it. If you're pushing your luck or are unlucky, more serious consequences could be persistent nausea and vomiting. You should then contact a doctor.

prompter: How can I tell if my immune system is in good shape?

prompter: Wait so are you saying it's actually pretty much ok to eat moldy food?

prompter: Thanks, I need to rush to doctor!

assistant: It depends on the type of food and the type of mould. Some types of food, such as blue cheese, are intended to contain a type of mould. In general, however, I would recommend against eating mouldy food as it may result in negative health consequences.

assistant: There can be. Some molds can produce mycotoxins that are poisonous. If you eat it accidentally eat moldy food you can contact your health care provider.