If you have been medically diagnosed with a mold allergy, treatment recovery requiring you to remove all mold sources from your house or environment may not be enough. According to the Cleveland Clinic, some of the foods you consume may cause an allergic reaction due to mold content. As a result, you should check all food products for visible mold before eating it.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms are a fungus that may frequently contain traces of mold, even if they are recently purchased and fresh, notes the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Mushrooms, raw or cooked, should be avoided. Mushrooms may be also added to soups, casseroles, quiches and salads in restaurants without your knowledge. As a precaution, ask for an ingredients list before selecting these items to ensure your meal does not contain mushrooms.
Meat
Smoked, pickled and cured fish and meat created to have prolonged shelf lives may contain high levels of mold content. According to the Cleveland Clinic, you should avoid consuming any meat or fish products that are over a day old. This includes prepackaged meats like salami, smoked fish, sardines and lunch meat. When cooking meat or fish, purchase it from a grocery store or butcher, not frozen. After purchasing the fish or meat, immediately cook it to ensure it does not mold after a certain amount of time.
Dairy
According to the Cleveland Clinic, dairy products that have been processed through a fermentation process often contain mold. As a result, you should avoid all cheeses, especially blue cheese and other cheese products that may contain visible mold. In addition, avoid all fermented dairy products such as sour milk, buttermilk or sour cream. Foods like scones, pancakes and other baked goods frequently contain buttermilk. Consult your local baker or grocer to determine if your choice products contain traces of fermented dairy products.
Other Fermented Foods
Other fermented foods that may trigger allergic reactions if you are allergic to mold include foods soaked in vinegar, foods that contain vinegar, sauerkraut, dried fruits like figs, dates, raisins, beer and wine, soy sauce and breads like pumpernickel or sourdough. When ordering in restaurants, ask the chef or waiter if soy sauce or vinegar is used when preparing the meal. Also, request salads with dressings on the side or ask for dressing alternatives.
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