Mold forms on food when mold spores land on a surface that will support growth. Once the spores have found a suitable place, they germinate and the mold cells begin to grow and divide until that mold spot has become millions of mold cells (at thisstage, the mold is visible).

Mold will grow on almost any kind of food that contains moisture; this is why bread, fruit, cheese, etc. are so prone to having mold grow on them. The foods on which mold grows, have the nutrients to support and encourage growth. The molds then take and use the nutrients in the food for themselves (causing the food to lose its nutritional value).

*Factoid: Mold spores can move through the air, ride on animals or plants, or almost any other surface including through moving water.