While reducing food waste is important, when it comes to mold, safety should be our top priority rather than saving food. Mold not only can spur allergic reactions but also make us ill. Mold belongs to the kingdom of fungi and tends to thrive in environments where moisture and oxygen are present. While it is related to mushrooms, mold has a different structure and life cycle. Mold consists of a network of thread-like structures called hyphae, which can penetrate the foods it inhabits.