Is black mold on hairy tofu suitable for consumption? No, that's not true: Black mold can be dangerous to people who have a weak immune system.
The claim appeared in a video on TikTok (archived here) which was published on November 25, 2023, under the title: "I want to clarify the black mold on hairy tofu." It opened, all translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff:
Actually, this type of mold can be eaten, and it is possible to have black color.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Thu Dec 7 06:41:25 2023 UTC)
The above mentioned video on TikTok is a follow-up video of a first one that the author deleted on TikTok but can that be found on X (archived here), posted by another user. The first video explained to people how to make hairy tofu, a traditional Asian food made from soybeans soaked in a brine made of salt, water, and spices. The mixture is then left to ferment for several days or even weeks. During this time, the mixture develops an intense, "hairy" layer on the surface. People, especially in China, have eaten it for a long time. But in the original video that was on X the hairy tofu does not look like the hairy tofu suitable for consumption, as there is black mold on it. Many people reacted to the video asking if the black mold is harmful if eaten. The TikToker defended the claim that black mold is suitable for consumption by referring to doctor Atirut Asasuek who said that black mold can be edible but needs to be cooked properly. Media in Thailand reported on this.
Asasuek, a doctor who is also an influencer in Thailand, talked about this claim on TikTok saying (translated by Lead Stories staff):
This hairy mold is produced from Rhizopus microsporus. People with a good immune system can eat this mold if you cook it properly, but some patients who are weak or have diabetes should avoid it because it can harm their bodies. According to the cooking process shown in the video, the tofu is contaminated by many factors, for example by touching it with the hand. As a consequence there is not only Rhizopus microsporus on the tofu. There might be other bacteria as well.
This means that the tofu with the black mold in the TikTok video may be contaminated with various bacteria that cannot be identified just by watching the video. Furthermore, Rhizopus can also cause negative health effects. It can cause mucormycosis and allergies to some people who are sensitive to this type of mold. According to up-to-date research, black mold is dangerous for people who have a weak immune system.
