Can you still safely eat spoiled vegetables or fruit? If you notice this, there is only one correct option

Or can you simply cut off the suspicious spot and continue consuming the rest? To make the right decision, you have to look at a few things.

It is important to understand that not all bad stains on fruits and vegetables are created equal. In some cases, it may be perfectly safe to remove the damaged portion and continue eating the rest. But in some cases it is better to throw away the entire product.

A useful rule to use here is to see if the damage to the food is superficial. If you have a bruise on an apple or a small hole in a tomato, you can often safely cut off that spot.

Cutting off the damaged portion removes the source of potential bacteria or mold, leaving the remainder safely edible.

However, there are some exceptions you should take into consideration. This is the case if the food is riddled with mold, or if the inside is spoiled or very mushy. If you notice this while cutting, you should definitely discard the entire fruit or vegetable.

Harmful bacteria and fungi can quickly spread to the rest of the food, making it unsafe to eat or use in a meal.

Especially for soft fruits and vegetables such as peaches, tomatoes, strawberries and zucchini, spoilage can quickly penetrate deep into the fruit or vegetable.

When it comes to food, there is only one important rule: when in doubt, it is always better to play it safe and throw the product away.