It’s a common belief that simply cutting off the visible mold from food like bread or cheese makes the rest safe to eat.

It’s lunchtime, your stomach is growling and you’ve decided to make a sandwich. But as soon as you head to the pantry and open the bread bag, you see it: a whitish, greenish spot. Ugh — it’s mold.

I ate moldy bread. Well, not me personally (though I may have done so by accident before). However, you may have. Now what? Understanding what happens when you eat mold—even a little bit—is vital for ...