According to certified nutritionist Serena Poon, molding is a natural ecological process that recycles food and essentially turns it into compost. "There are mold spores everywhere, including in your home, and when they make their way into your food, they accelerate the process of decay," she explains.

"Another easy way to detect mold is to pay attention to the packaging," Dr. Sarin adds. Is it cracking? Is there moisture under the wrapping? How about unusual stains? According to Sarin, these are all indications something's not quite right and that mold could be present in your food.

Arburg is a world-class manufacturer of injection moulding machines. We will grow with them in Europe, but we are also working on a very big 2K project with one of the biggest medical device companies in the US, where Arburg supports us technically and where they, if successful, can ship a lot of their machines to California.

First of all, that is a very correct statement that not many industry insiders know. Bulgaria was/is the Toolmaking Capital of the Eastern Block so there is a lot of tradition, but also a skill set available. Most of the local engineers and toolmakers speak excellent English, as well as Russian. VEM is bringing the international exposure to the table, we now have seven nationalities working there in VEM. And with the latest technology (VEM has its first 5-axis CNC machine there), we can help them to improve and get to the next level.

To remove harmful mold safely, Poon recommends cutting off at least an inch around the moldy area and then washing your knife immediately. "Clean your refrigerator after discovering mold on food to avoid further spread through the air circulation inside your fridge," she adds.

We can see that globalisation turns into localisation. Since we have a lot of customers in Europe, we thought that being in the EU with a maximum two- to three-hour plane ride from all the big European factories, would be very helpful. Also, we can see that many US customers do not want to source in Asia anymore, but are very open to Europe. So far, orders in VEM Bulgaria are up more than 80 per cent compared to last year.

Tossing out food contributes to food waste and costs hard-earned money, so it's best to prevent your food from getting moldy in the first place. Here are ways to keep mold from forming.

Based in Clovis, California, VEM President Marc Weinmann discusses the reasons for bringing his company’s toolmaking expertise to the European market.

Highlights: * Has worked as a fact checker for Real Simple since 2022 * Worked as a staff writer for Mochi Magazine * Currently runs and operates the United States blog for Student Beans

We spoke with a wellness expert and a physician to learn the best ways to handle moldy food and ways to prevent mold from forming on our food. Read on to also find out how and when mold forms and how much food we have to throw away when we find it.

Food becomes moldy when a specific type of fungi is given enough time to grow. While certainly not appetizing or pleasant, mold growth is a normal part of the food cycle.

Some of our pantry and fridge staples are more prone to mold production than others, creating a perplexing dilemma: Is it ever OK to eat moldy food? If so, what kind of mold on food is acceptable, and when should it be thrown away?

Medical device, automotive and consumer goods. Some of these moulds will end up in the USA as there is very little import duty from the EU to the USA for moulds.

Make a goal of purchasing fresh ingredients to use in meals within a few days. One fun idea to hold yourself accountable is to reorganize your fridge with an "eat me first" shelf, suggests Poon, to establish a visual reminder of what needs to be eaten ASAP.

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If you spot mold in hard foods—such as hard cheese or vegetables—they may still be salvageable. "Mold has difficulty spreading through more dense surfaces, so you can be fairly confident that you are not consuming mold spores in this situation," Poon points out. In these cases, you can usually cut off the moldy part and enjoy the rest of the food.

To shock you a little bit, the Europeans are already ahead of the Americans. Germany, for example, can, on a warm, sunny and windy day, already generate 100 per cent of its energy needs from renewable energy. Europe has a clear strategy and action plan for recycling different materials, especially plastics. The USA (at least the places I have been to in the last 12 months) is way behind and I hope they can learn from the Europeans very soon.

"If you're in doubt, throw it out," Poon advises. Mold can create dangerous mycotoxins and cause allergies, as well as respiratory issues. Otherwise, here's how to handle mold you find on food.

Lindsay is a freelance travel and lifestyle journalist covering topics from love, marriage, fitness, wellness, psychology, and entrepreneurism.

As you inspect a questionable vegetable or piece of fruit, look for changes in its appearance. "When mold is present, food can become soft and turn darker, and the mold itself can look fluffy, fuzzy, or dusty," says Dr. Seema Sarin. If you bite into the moldy food before analyzing it, you may notice a change in taste, too.

To avoid inadvertently bringing moldy food into your home, examine groceries well before you buy them. The USDA recommends we "check food in glass jars, look at the stem areas on fresh produce, and avoid bruised produce." They also urge us to notify the store manager if we spot mold on their goods.

The most impactful way to prevent mold is this: Eat your food! It may seem like an obvious solution, but it's an effective one. When you only buy the food you'll need each week, you reduce the probability that mold will form and the likelihood of waste.

Mold spores can spread through the air, so keep food in an environment that does not allow the air in, says Poon. Store leftovers, jams, yogurts, and cheeses in airtight containers. Store bread in a bread box or the freezer to extend its lifespan. "One exception is fruit, which should be stored with access to airflow—but eaten quickly," she says.

The general rule is: If you find mold on soft foods—such as bread, fruits, and soft cheeses—throw it away in its entirety because mold spreads more easily in soft foods, says Poon. "Mold on your soft food has probably traveled much further than you can see," she explains.

The USDA notes that some salamis—such as San Francisco, Italian, and Eastern European types—have a characteristic thin, white mold coating that is safe to consume, but they shouldn't show any other mold. You may also find surface mold on dry-cured country hams that should be scrubbed off before cooking.

We will be present at Medical Design & Manufacturing West in Anaheim, California in August, as well as at Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in October – aside from the K Show, we know this is the biggest plastics show in Europe. We also be present at Interplas in Birmingham, UK, in September.

"Do not sniff the moldy areas or containers," Poon warns, "as mold can easily cause allergic and respiratory reactions." The only exception is mold on certain cheeses, such as Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Brie, which are considered safe to consume.

When it comes to food, mold can occur at any point in the supply chain, from harvest and storage to your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. According to Poon, mold thrives in moist environments, so it's often found in fruit and bread stored in warm, humid climates.