But keep in mind that microorganisms that cause food spoilage are not the same as those that cause foodborne illness. Spoilage bacteria cause milk to sour, meat to have an off odor, or vegetables to be slimy. While sour milk is not dangerous to drink, it is very unappetizing. Other spoilage organisms include yeasts and some molds. These signs of spoilage can show you that the food is past its prime and a possible target for bacteria or other microorganisms that CAN make you sick.
Molds are spoilage organisms that can make a food unhealthful to eat.
While you can see the fuzzy tops of the mold, there is more to the story below the surface of the food. Molds are made up of long hair-like threads that can grow into a food. These threads may produce toxins that can cause gastrointestinal illness or contribute to the development of some cancers. When preparing food for storage, keep in mind that food can be spoiled by molds, yeasts, bacteria, viruses, toxins and other contaminates. Foods that are likely to be contaminated with pathogenic or sick-making microorganisms are often called perishable or potentially hazardous.