Is it safe to eat out of date fruit? A guide to freshness and food safety

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a significant amount of food is wasted annually due to misunderstood date labels. When considering if it is safe to eat out of date fruit, the answer often depends more on its physical condition than the printed date.

Quick Summary

This article explores the safety of consuming fruit past its 'best by' date by teaching you how to distinguish between date labels and recognize signs of spoilage. Learn the risks of mold and bacteria, and discover practical methods to inspect and store produce to reduce food waste and stay healthy.

Key Points

• Check for Spoilage: Visually inspect fruit for mold, slimy texture, or excessive discoloration, as these are more reliable indicators of safety than a 'best by' date.

• Understand Date Labels: Recognize that a 'best by' date is a quality indicator, while a 'use by' date (rare on fresh fruit) signifies a safety deadline.

• Cut Firm, Toss Soft: For mold on dense fruits like apples, cut away a generous portion, but discard soft, porous fruits like berries entirely, as mold spreads unseen.

• Smell It: Trust your nose. A sour or unpleasant odor is a strong sign that the fruit is spoiled and unsafe to eat.

• Store Properly: Extend your fruit's shelf life by separating ethylene-producing fruits, using crisper drawers, and ensuring produce is dry before storing.

• Safeguard Vulnerable Individuals: Be especially cautious with fruit for children, pregnant women, and the elderly, as they are more susceptible to foodborne illnesses from spoiled produce.

Understanding Food Labels: 'Best By' vs. 'Use By'

For consumers, one of the biggest sources of confusion and food waste stems from misunderstanding date labels. The vast majority of fruits sold in grocery stores are not labeled with 'use-by' dates but with 'best by' or 'sell by' dates. It's crucial to understand the distinction.

Best By/Before Dates

A 'Best if Used By/Before' date is an indicator of quality, not safety. This date is the manufacturer's estimate for when the product will have the best flavor or quality. Fruit consumed after this date may have a less vibrant flavor or a softer texture but is often still safe to eat, provided it shows no signs of spoilage.

Use By Dates

A 'Use By' date is typically found on highly perishable items and is a safety-related deadline. This date indicates the last day the food is considered safe to eat. You will rarely see this label on fresh, whole fruit, as safety is determined more by visual and olfactory cues than by a calendar date.

The Risks of Eating Spoiled Fruit

While an expired date isn't an automatic reason to toss fruit, signs of spoilage should never be ignored. Consuming rotten fruit can pose several health risks, ranging from mild discomfort to serious illness.

Bacterial Growth

Spoiled fruit can become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria like E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. These pathogens are often invisible and odorless, meaning a fruit that looks and smells fine could still be contaminated. This is especially true for pre-cut or damaged fruit where the interior is exposed. Symptoms of food poisoning can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever.

Mold and Mycotoxins

Mold is a visible sign of decay and a clear signal to exercise caution. Some molds, particularly those found on nuts and certain fruits like apples, can produce harmful toxins called mycotoxins. Ingesting these toxins can lead to liver and kidney damage with long-term exposure. For vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, the risks are significantly higher.

Fermentation

While less dangerous, fruit that is spoiling may also ferment, developing an alcoholic or vinegar-like taste. While this is not always harmful, it's a sign that the fruit's quality has severely diminished.

How to Assess Your Out of Date Fruit: A Sensory Guide

Instead of relying solely on the date, use your senses to determine if fruit is still good to eat. Here's what to look for:

The Visual Inspection

• Mold: Any visible mold is a major red flag. While some people believe they can simply cut the moldy portion off, especially on firm fruits, experts caution against this for porous and soft fruits. Mold often has roots (filaments) that extend far beyond the visible surface.
• Discoloration: Browning and discoloration are normal signs of aging, but if the color is excessively dark, pale, or unnatural for the fruit, it's likely spoiled.
• Texture Changes: A fruit that has become excessively soft, mushy, or slimy should be discarded. Bruising is generally acceptable, and you can simply cut away the damaged area.

The Smell Test

Your nose is a powerful tool in detecting spoilage. A sour, rotten, or unpleasant odor is a strong indicator that the fruit is no longer good for consumption. Trust your instincts; if it smells bad, it likely is.

When to Cut and When to Toss: A Comparison Table

Not all fruits handle mold and age in the same way. The decision to cut or toss depends largely on the fruit's density and moisture content.

Fruit Type	Density	Action if Mold is Present	Rationale
Apples, Pears	Firm	Cut at least one inch around the mold spot and below it.	Dense, low-moisture fruits make it harder for mold filaments to penetrate deeply.
Soft Fruits (Berries, Peaches)	Soft	Discard the entire fruit.	Their high moisture content and porous nature allow mold spores to spread rapidly throughout.
Melons	Firm (rind), Soft (flesh)	Discard.	Bacteria and mold on the netted skin of fruits like cantaloupe can be difficult to remove and can transfer to the flesh when cut.
Citrus Fruits	Firm (rind)	Cut away the affected portion if only on the rind.	If the mold has penetrated the flesh, the fruit should be discarded.

Best Practices for Safe Fruit Handling

To avoid having to make the "is it safe?" decision, follow these proactive steps to ensure your fruit stays fresh and safe for as long as possible.

1. Wash Your Hands: Always wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling fresh produce.
2. Separate Produce: Keep fresh fruits separate from raw meat, poultry, and seafood in your shopping cart and in your refrigerator.
3. Clean Your Equipment: Use clean utensils and a clean cutting board when preparing fruit. If you have handled raw meat, thoroughly wash and sanitize the surface before preparing produce.
4. Wash Thoroughly: Rinse fresh fruit under cool running water just before eating or preparing. Even if you plan to peel the fruit, wash it first to prevent germs from transferring to the edible portion.
5. Refrigerate Promptly: Store all cut, peeled, or cooked fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator within two hours.
6. Avoid Overcrowding: Proper air circulation is key. Overcrowding your fruit bowl or refrigerator drawer can accelerate spoilage.

Conclusion: Use Your Judgement, Not Just the Date

For fresh fruit, date labels like 'best by' are about quality, not safety. The real safety assessment comes from a careful inspection using your senses. Look for signs of mold, off odors, or significant texture changes. While it may be tempting to salvage moldy fruit, especially softer varieties, the risks of bacterial growth and mycotoxin production make it a dangerous gamble. By understanding date labels, using your senses, and practicing safe food handling, you can enjoy fruit for longer and reduce unnecessary food waste.

For more detailed food safety guidelines, refer to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's official advice on safe handling of fresh produce. FDA Fruit and Vegetable Safety Guidelines.

Safe Fruit Storage Tips

• Ethylene Sensitivity: Keep ethylene-producing fruits like bananas, apples, and avocados separate from ethylene-sensitive fruits such as berries and leafy greens to prevent rapid ripening and spoilage.
• Crisper Drawers: Utilize your refrigerator's crisper drawers, which are designed to help preserve freshness.
• Pat Dry: Excess moisture encourages mold growth, so ensure fruits are dry before storing.
• Vinegar Soak for Berries: A diluted vinegar wash can help kill mold spores on delicate berries and extend their life.

Preserving Overripe Fruit

If you find your fruit is past its peak but still safe, don't throw it out. Instead, repurpose it to avoid waste.

• Smoothies: Overripe bananas and soft berries are perfect for blending into smoothies.
• Baking: Brown bananas are excellent for banana bread, while soft apples can be used for sauces or baking.
• Sauces & Jams: Turn soft berries or stone fruit into delicious sauces or jams.

When in Doubt, Throw It Out

When faced with uncertainty, the safest option is to discard the fruit. The potential health risks of consuming spoiled food are not worth the gamble.

What to Do with Bruised Fruit

Bruised fruit is generally safe to eat. Simply cut away the bruised portion before consuming.

What About Home-Canned Fruit?

Extreme caution should be exercised with improperly home-canned fruits, as they can carry a risk of botulism. Discard any jars that bulge, leak, or have a strange odor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 'best by' and a 'use by' date for fruit?

A 'best by' date indicates when a fruit will be at its peak quality and flavor, but it is often safe to eat after this date. A 'use by' date, however, relates to food safety, but is rarely used on fresh, whole fruit.

Can I just cut the mold off an out of date fruit?

For firm fruits like apples, you can cut off a small moldy spot, but for soft or porous fruits like berries and peaches, it's best to discard the entire item, as mold roots can penetrate deep beneath the surface.

What are the health risks of eating spoiled fruit?

The risks include food poisoning from harmful bacteria like Salmonella or Listeria, as well as exposure to mycotoxins from mold, which can cause allergic reactions or more serious illness.

How can I tell if a fruit is still good without a date label?

Use your senses. Inspect for visible mold, signs of rot, or excessive mushiness. Sniff for any unpleasant or sour odors, and discard if the fruit smells bad.

Is it safe to eat a slightly bruised apple?

Yes, bruised fruit is typically safe to eat. You can simply cut away the bruised section before consuming the rest of the fruit.

How can I extend the life of my fruit at home?

Store fruits in the appropriate temperature and humidity, pat them dry before storing to prevent mold, and keep ethylene-producing fruits like bananas separate from other produce.

What about home-canned fruit? Is it safe if it's out of date?

For home-canned fruit, it is critical to adhere to proper canning procedures to prevent botulism. Discard any jars that bulge, leak, or show signs of spoilage, regardless of the date.