A DOCTOR has gone viral after warning people to throw out mouldy bread immediately – even if it affects just one slice.
Dr. Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist, studied at Harvard University and shares his top tips for safely handling food.
The expert has amassed 475,000 followers on TikTok (@doctorsethimd), where he shares his knowledge and experience.
He previously revealed the common Christmas health problem that should never be ignored – heartburn – as this can be a sign of oesophageal cancer.
And with leftovers galore soon to be filling households, there’ll be many looking to create the ultimate festive sandwich.
Make sure to check your bread first, though, as Dr Sethi is warning people not to make a common mistake.
Rather than throwing out only slices with signs of mould, you should get rid of the entire loaf instead, reports What’s The Jam.
“If you see green mould on your bread, toss it out,” said Dr Sethi, 42, from California.
“Don’t even think about cutting off the mouldy part.”
The doctor explains that this “small mistake” can pose serious risk, especially for those with mould allergies or lung issues.
“That green mould is actually a fungus, just like mushrooms in the forest, which may look small above the ground, but spread wildly beneath,” he said.
“The mould on your bread permeates the entire loaf.
“What you see on the surface is just the reproductive part of the fungus.”
Dr Sethi says not to be fooled, as throwing away just the one mouldy slice doesn’t make the rest safe to eat.
And if you do accidentally chow down on a piece of green fungus, here are the warning signs to look out for, which suggest you should seek urgent medical help.
“If someone eats mouldy bread, they may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, or allergic reactions; such as hives or breathing issues,” he explained.
“In rare cases, mycotoxins in the mould can cause long-term health problems, especially in large quantities or for those with weakened immune systems.
Food poisoning is rarely serious and usually gets better within a week.
It’s hard to miss the symptoms, which include:
How to treat food poisoning
You can usually treat yourself or your child at home.
The symptoms usually pass within a week.
The most important thing is to have lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration.
You should also see a doctor if along with other symptoms you have high fever, blood in your stool, or feel dehydrated or unable to keep any food or liquid down.
Make sure you stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days.
Source: NHS
“[Remember to] stay calm, as most people won’t have serious effects.
“Drink lots of water if experiencing mild discomfort [to stay] hydrated.
“Monitor symptoms and seek medical help if they are severe; such as persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing, or swelling.
“Discard mouldy food and avoid eating more, as some moulds can produce harmful toxins.
“In general, though, it’s best to avoid mouldy food.”
