Almost 1 in 3 People Admit They Just Cut the Mold Off Their Food and Eat It Anyway

Be honest: When you see a little mold on your food, do you throw the whole thing away… or grab a knife and start performing food surgery?

With grocery prices in 2026, tossing an entire container of strawberries because one berry looks like it has grown a tiny fur coat can feel financially irresponsible.

And apparently, we're not alone.

A new survey found that nearly 1 in 3 people say they simply cut the moldy part off fruits and vegetables and eat the rest.

But here's the problem: sometimes that works, and sometimes you're basically playing Russian roulette with your leftovers.

That Little Fuzzy Spot Could Be Just the Beginning

Researchers surveyed 1,000 people about mold and mycotoxins — toxins that can be produced by certain molds.

The results found that nearly 79% of people rarely or never think about mycotoxins in their daily lives.

Which makes sense. Most of us aren't sitting at work thinking, "I wonder how much Penicillium is growing on my lunch?"

But here's the part that might make you reconsider your food-saving strategy:

More than half of the people surveyed didn't know that cooking or baking doesn't necessarily destroy mycotoxins after they've formed.

So if your plan is to simply throw the questionable food into a 400-degree oven and hope for the best… that's not exactly a food-safety strategy.

When You CAN Cut the Mold Off

Not everything with a tiny spot of mold needs to be sent straight to the garbage.

Some dense fruits and vegetables, including cabbage, bell peppers and carrots, can generally be saved.

The USDA recommends cutting away at least 1 inch around and below the moldy area.

And here's an important detail: Don't let your knife touch the mold and then drag it through the good stuff.

Basically, you're performing surgery. Keep the scalpel clean.

Hard cheeses can also usually be saved by cutting at least an inch around and below the mold. Afterward, wrap the remaining cheese in fresh packaging.

And then there are foods where mold is actually part of the recipe.

Blue cheeses such as Roquefort, Gorgonzola and Stilton are intentionally made with specific molds. Brie and Camembert also get their characteristic white mold from the cheesemaking process.

Some dry-cured hard salamis can also have a thin white mold coating that's considered normal.

So don't look at a piece of blue cheese and yell, "WE HAVE A SITUATION!"

When You Should Just Throw It Away

Here's where things get ugly.

If the food is soft, moist or porous, cutting off the visible mold usually isn't enough.

That includes:

• Soft fruits and vegetables
• Bread
• Baked goods
• Yogurt
• Sour cream
• Soft cheese
• Shredded, sliced or crumbled cheese
• Peanut butter
• Nuts and legumes

Why?

Because mold can spread beneath the surface where you can't see it.

So when your peach has a fuzzy spot, don't just cut off the fuzzy spot and declare victory.

The mold may have already moved into the neighborhood.

And Don't Mess Around With Moldy Home-Canned Food

If you discover mold growing inside a home-canned food, the recommendation is simple:

Throw it away.

Don't scrape off the top of Grandma's homemade jam and convince yourself the bottom is fine.

Mold in canned food can be a sign of a bigger problem, such as a broken seal or improper processing.

Grandma will understand.

Probably.

The Official "Eat It or Toss It?" Cheat Sheet

How to Keep Your Food From Growing Its Own Civilization

The best way to deal with mold is to prevent it from showing up in the first place.

Keep perishable foods refrigerated and don't leave them sitting out for more than two hours.

You should also:

• Eat leftovers within 3–4 days
• Move opened canned foods into clean containers
• Keep your refrigerator clean
• Wash or replace moldy-smelling sponges and dishcloths
• Keep household humidity below about 40% when possible

Basically, your refrigerator should be a food-storage appliance — not a science experiment.

So… Should You Cut It or Toss It?

The answer is: It depends.

A little mold on a hard cheese or dense vegetable doesn't necessarily mean the entire thing is doomed.

But mold on bread, soft fruit, yogurt or soft cheese?

Don't be a hero. Throw it away.

Saving $2 worth of strawberries isn't worth spending the rest of the day wondering if that weird stomachache was lunch or your latest encounter with the mold kingdom.

When in doubt, toss it out. Your stomach will thank you.

VOTE HERE

Anthropic Researcher Says AI Could Have More Than 10% Chance of Killing All Humans

Artificial intelligence could pose an extreme threat to humanity within the next decade, according to a senior safety researcher at AI company Anthropic.

Evan Hubinger, Anthropic’s alignment science lead, said he personally believes there is a greater than 10% chance that AI could “kill all humans” within the next decade.

The startling assessment came in response to a resignation post from Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at both Anthropic and OpenAI. Coxon announced that he was leaving Anthropic and accused major AI companies of moving too quickly toward increasingly powerful, potentially self-improving systems.

“I resigned from Anthropic today,” Coxon wrote in a post on X. “Neither company is acting responsibly. They are racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.”

Hubinger responded to Coxon’s concerns and acknowledged that Anthropic researchers genuinely believe AI could eventually pose an existential threat.

“Jacob is correct here—we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans,” Hubinger wrote.

He added that, in his personal assessment, the risk is greater than 10% over the next decade.

The Biggest Concern Isn't Today's AI

Hubinger emphasized that he does not believe current AI systems pose a major risk of wiping out humanity.

Instead, his concern centers on the possibility of superintelligent AI capable of recursively improving itself.

Recursive self-improvement refers to a scenario in which an AI system could help improve its own software, capabilities or training processes, potentially allowing it to become dramatically more capable at an accelerating rate.

Hubinger said the risk from current AI models is low, but warned that the development of superintelligence could change the situation dramatically.

Coxon raised similar concerns in his resignation statement, arguing that increasingly powerful AI systems could eventually become capable of hacking computer systems, rapidly advancing scientific fields and gaining access to significant resources and real-world power.

An AI Race Could Make Things Worse

Coxon also argued that AI companies may feel pressured to continue developing increasingly powerful systems because they fear a competitor could get there first.

In his view, researchers may recognize the potential dangers but continue pushing forward because they believe another company or country will move ahead if they don't.

That creates what critics describe as an AI arms race, where safety concerns could take a back seat to the pressure to develop more powerful technology.

Coxon suggested that preventing a catastrophic outcome could ultimately require governments to consider extraordinary measures, including a temporary halt on increasing the capabilities of the most advanced AI models.

How Worried Should We Be?

The comments are certainly alarming, but the 10% figure is Hubinger's personal estimate of an extremely uncertain future scenario, not a prediction that AI will kill humanity.

There is also no scientific consensus that AI has a specific 10% chance—or any precisely measurable probability—of causing human extinction within the next decade.

Still, the comments highlight a growing debate within the AI industry itself: How quickly should companies develop increasingly powerful AI, and how confident should we be that those systems can ultimately be controlled?

For researchers like Hubinger and Coxon, the question isn't whether today's chatbots are going to destroy the world. It's whether humanity can develop adequate safety measures before AI systems become far more capable than the ones we have today.

5 Collectibles to Watch in the Second Half of 2026

Could the next big investment be sitting in a trading-card pack, a LEGO box or an old Nintendo game?

Collectibles can be risky investments. Unlike stocks or savings accounts, they don't generate interest or dividends, and their value can rise or fall quickly. But scarcity, nostalgia, pop-culture popularity and major events can sometimes create big opportunities for collectors.

As we head into the second half of 2026, here are five types of collectibles worth keeping an eye on.

1. Pokémon 30th Anniversary Products

Pokémon is celebrating its 30th anniversary in a big way, and that could make its commemorative merchandise particularly interesting to collectors.

The Pokémon 30th Celebration Trading Card Game expansion arrives September 16, featuring a new Pikachu illustration from legendary Pokémon artist Ken Sugimori.

Anniversary products can have an advantage over individual cards because collectors may want to keep special-edition boxes and sets sealed as souvenirs.

There's already evidence that Pokémon anniversary merchandise can become significantly more valuable over time. The Pokémon 25th Anniversary Ultra-Premium Collection originally sold for $119.99 and has been selling for around $1,400 on the secondary market as of August 2026.

That doesn't mean the 30th-anniversary products will deliver the same returns. But limited-edition Pokémon merchandise could be worth watching, particularly if demand remains strong after the anniversary celebration.

2. Retired LEGO Sets

LEGO isn't just for kids anymore. Retired sets have become a serious collectible category, with certain sets selling for considerably more than their original retail prices.

The key is picking the right sets. Licensed themes, exclusive minifigures, popular franchises and elaborate collector-focused builds can all help create demand after a set leaves stores.

One example is the Harry Potter Gringotts Wizarding Bank Collectors' Edition. The set originally retailed for $429.99 before retiring in March. Sealed copies are now valued at around $790.

Of course, not every LEGO set becomes more valuable. But collectors looking for potential long-term appreciation may want to pay particular attention to sets that are being retired, especially those tied to major entertainment franchises.

3. Soccer Rookie Cards

The 2026 World Cup has put soccer—and soccer collectibles—under an even bigger global spotlight.

That could make rookie cards featuring young stars especially interesting to collectors. One player attracting plenty of attention is Lamine Yamal.

A PSA 10 2023 Donruss Optic Rated Rookie Lamine Yamal #177 reached a high trading price of $350 on August 1, shortly after his World Cup win. That's nearly $200 higher than its price before the tournament began.

But sports cards come with an obvious risk: performance matters.

A breakout season, major tournament victory or award can send a player's cards soaring, while injuries, poor performance or a loss of popularity can send prices in the opposite direction.

4. Limited Labubu and Pop Mart Figures

Labubu has gone from collectible toy to full-blown pop-culture phenomenon, making limited-edition Pop Mart figures another category worth watching.

For example, the Pop Mart Labubu Jazz Figure originally retailed for about $40 in April and has been selling for around $99 on the secondary market.

Labubu's growing presence in entertainment and other experiences could also help keep the character in the public eye. Pop Mart has been expanding the Labubu brand beyond collectibles, including plans for a film project.

As with any hot collectible, though, popularity can be unpredictable. Today's must-have figure could eventually become yesterday's fad. Limited production runs and unusual or highly sought-after designs may have the best chance of standing out.

5. Vintage Nintendo Games

If you've got old Nintendo games sitting in a closet or garage, it might be worth taking a closer look at them.

Sealed vintage video games can command serious prices, particularly when they involve iconic franchises and are in exceptional condition.

Earlier this year, a sealed copy of Super Mario Bros. sold at auction for an incredible $3 million, breaking the previous $2 million record established in a 2021 private sale.

Obviously, most vintage Nintendo games aren't going to come anywhere close to $3 million. But rare, sealed and well-preserved copies of popular titles can still attract collectors and potentially command substantial premiums.

So before throwing out those old Nintendo games, check the box—and check the condition.

Collectibles Aren't Guaranteed Investments

While these five categories could offer opportunities for collectors, there's no guarantee any particular item will increase in value.

Before spending money, consider marketplace and selling fees, authentication or grading costs, insurance and storage. Most importantly, don't invest money you may need in the short term.

The collectibles market can be unpredictable. Sometimes the best strategy is to buy something you genuinely enjoy owning—and consider any increase in value a bonus.

Image Credit: disneyland.disney.go.com

Downtown Disney Is Bringing Back Free Halloween Movie Nights

Halloween is coming to Downtown Disney, and you can enjoy some spooky movie magic without spending a dime!

The popular outdoor shopping and entertainment district will once again host free Halloween movie nights every Wednesday from September 9 through October 28.

The screenings will take place outdoors at the Downtown Disney LIVE! Stage & Lawn, located between Din Tai Fung and the Parkside Market food hall. So grab a blanket, bring your friends and family, and settle in for a Halloween movie under the stars.

And because no movie night is complete without snacks, guests can also expect Halloween-themed food and treats to be available during the events.

There’s just one thing missing: the movies!

Disneyland has not yet announced the lineup for this year’s Halloween film series. The movie schedule is expected to be revealed through Downtown Disney’s official Instagram account as the event gets closer.

So if you're looking for a cheap—and potentially spooky—way to celebrate Halloween this fall, Downtown Disney is giving you eight Wednesday nights of free entertainment.

Popcorn not included… but highly recommended.