False: The black layer found on onions causes black fungus.

By: Ankita Kulkarni
June 19 2021

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Mucormycosis is caused by a different fungus and not by the fungi which causes a black mold on onions.Black fungus or Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection found in COVID-19 patients. Experts say that the infection is caused due to high usage of steroids in treating lung inflammation which reduces the immunity causing a fungal infection. As the cases of black fungus are on the rise in India, various posts on social media are found suggesting that a black layer on the onion can cause black fungus. However, we found this to be far from true. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that a black mold on onion is caused by aspergillus niger, a common fungus in the soil. In contrast, the black fungus is caused by a group of fungi called Mucormycetes. According to the CDC, these molds live throughout the environment, particularly in soil and decaying organic matter, such as leaves, compost piles, and animal dung. We mark the claim as false as the fungi responsible for Mucormycosis is not the same, which causes black mold on onion. The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19, including symptoms, prevention, and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organization or your national healthcare authority.