The best way to know if moldy cheese is spoiled and can not be consumed is to check if the texture or aroma is different from how it was when it was purchased.
In the case of fresh, creamy, grated and sliced cheeses on the surface, it is hardly used the interior because fungi and bacteria spread rapidly within this type of cheese and, therefore, you should throw away all the cheese. In the hard and cured cheeses, such as parmesan or gouda, you can remove the spoiled surface and eat the rest of the cheese safely, because these types of cheese have less moisture and hinder the growth of microorganisms, not spoiling the rest of the cheese.
Representative photo of spoiled cheese
How to know if you can eat the cheese from the refrigerator
Cottage, cream cheese, freshmine cheese, curd and ricotta, are examples of fresh and creamy cheeses, with high humidity and should be discarded immediately, if it shows signs of rot, such as aroma changes, greenish or mild presence, because fungi and bacteria spread quickly through this type of cheese.
Mozzarella, plate, Swiss, gouda, parmesan and provolone, are examples of harder and cured cheeses, with less moisture, which are not completely contaminated after mold appears. Therefore, they can be consumed as long as the contaminated part is removed. When removing the contaminated part, remove a few centimeters more around, even if the cheese still looks good. This prevents the consumption of toxins or small foci of mold that has not yet spread completely.
Roquefort, gorgonzola, camembert and brie, are blue or soft cheeses that are produced with different species of fungi. Thus, the presence of molds in these types of cheese is normal, but if it is different from the usual, its consumption is not recommended, especially outside the shelf life.
3 Tips for Not Eating Strailed Cheese
To identify if cheese is still good to be consumed, it is important to:
1. Do not eat expired cheese
Cheese outside the shelf life should not be consumed, as the manufacturer is no longer responsible for the safety of the consumption of this product. So discard the cheese and don’t eat, even if the cheese is apparently fine.
2. 2. Watch the aroma
Usually cheeses have a mild aroma, except for special cheeses, such as Roquefort and Gorgonzola, which have a strong smell. Therefore, always be suspicious that a cheese is smelling very different from the usual. If this happens, avoid consuming it, even in its cooked form.
3. Check the appearance and texture
Appearance and texture are aspects that change a lot according to the type of cheese. Therefore, knowing the normal characteristics of the cheese in question is very important. If in doubt, consult a distributor or specialized manufacturer to understand exactly how the cheese should be within the shelf life: soft or hard, with mold or without mold, with a strong or mild smell, among other characteristics.
If the cheese looks different than what you usually have, it is indicated to throw it away, even if it is within the shelf life. In this case, it is still possible to make a claim directly to the distributor, such as supermarkets, to the manufacturer or even to the body responsible for consumer rights. 
Example of different types of cheese
How to Make Cheese Last Long
To preserve the cheese and make it last longer, the ideal temperature is 5 to 10oC for any type of cheese. Despite this, some cheeses, such as provolone and parmesan, can be kept in a fresh place in closed packaging. Once opened, all cheeses should be stored in clean and enclosed containers inside the refrigerator, such as a cheese. This prevents the cheese from being dried and deteriorating easily.
When choosing the place of purchase and origin of the cheese, note if the refrigerator is on the spot is on. Avoid buying cheeses in hot, stuffy places and on the beach, since inappropriate places can store the cheese at inadequate temperatures and spoil the product.
What happens if you eat spoiled cheese
Belly pain, diarrhea and vomiting are symptoms that can happen when eating a spoiled cheese. Infection or food poisoning are foodborne diseases that usually happen when the food is out of expiration or when its conservation has not been done properly.
In addition, often the malaise goes unnoticed and is not related to food. Thus, only the most serious cases reach doctors and rarely lead to death. If you suspect the contamination by spoiled cheese, hydrate by drinking plenty of water and immediately look for a service station. Taking the packaging or a piece of cheese consumed can help in the medical diagnosis.
