That Green Spot on Your Cheddar… Cut It Off or Toss the Whole Thing?

a solid block of hard cheddar, food safety guidance generally permits cutting away the mold with a generous margin around and below the affected area.

But for shredded, sliced, or soft cheese, discarding the entire product is the safer choice.

The key rule is simple: hard cheese may sometimes be salvaged, but soft and shredded cheese with unexpected mold should be discarded. When in doubt, don’t risk eating it.