Or can you simply cut away the suspicious spot and still consume the rest? To make the right choice you need to look at a few things.
It’s important to understand that not all bad spots on fruits and vegetables are equal. In some cases, it may be completely safe to remove the damaged portion and still eat the rest. But in some cases it is better to throw away the entire product.
A useful rule you can use here is to see whether 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 this spot away.
Cutting away the damaged portion removes the source of potential bacteria or mold, leaving the remaining portion safely edible.
However, there are some exceptions that you should take into account. This is the case if the food is permeated with mold, or if the inside is rotten or overly soft. If you notice this while cutting, there is no doubt and you should completely 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 with soft vegetables and fruit 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 of thumb: when in doubt, it is always better to play it safe and throw the product away.
