How To Tell If A Tomato Has Gone Bad – A Complete Guide

Tomatoes are one of the most widely used ingredients in cooking. Their versatility allows them to be used in everything from sauces and salads to sandwiches and snacks. However like any fresh produce tomatoes have a limited shelf life and can go bad if not stored and handled properly.

Learning how to identify signs of spoilage in tomatoes is an important skill for any home cook. It can help you avoid wasting money on tomatoes that have already gone south. Plus, it prevents you from accidentally using bad tomatoes in your recipes, which can negatively affect flavor and potentially cause foodborne illness.

In this comprehensive guide we will explore all the classic signs that indicate your tomato has gone bad. Follow these tips to determine when it’s time to toss out those aging tomatoes.

How Long Do Fresh Tomatoes Last?

Before jumping into signs of spoilage, let’s quickly go over how long fresh tomatoes last with proper storage:

• Whole ripe tomatoes stored at room temperature will stay fresh for up to 7 to 10 days.

• Keeping ripe tomatoes refrigerated can extend their shelf life to 5 to 10 days.

• Unripe green tomatoes can last around 2 weeks if kept at room temperature. Refrigeration slows the ripening process.

• Cherry or grape tomatoes typically last about 5 to 7 days at room temperature.

These timelines can vary based on ripening stage, variety, and growing conditions. But in general, aim to use fresh tomatoes within 1-2 weeks of purchasing them.

Now, let’s look at some surefire ways to know when your tomatoes have passed their prime.

7 Signs Your Tomato Has Gone Bad

1. Soft Spots or Mushy Texture

Fresh, firm tomatoes should only yield slightly when pressed gently. If certain spots on the tomato feel abnormally soft or mushy, it’s likely gone bad.

This excessive softness usually happens when tomatoes are overripe or start decomposing. Any unsafe toxins produced by bacteria will also contribute to mushy textures.

2. Discoloration or Dark/Black Spots

Uniform, vibrant color is a sign of a fresh tomato. Watch out for uneven discoloration, dark spots, black/brown patches, or bruising. This indicates the tomato is overripe, diseased, or rotting from the inside-out.

3. Wrinkled Skin

Smooth, taut skin is expected on a tomato at its peak. Wrinkled, shriveled skin typically means the tomato is old, drying out, or dehydrated – a telltale sign it should be discarded.

However, some heirloom varieties naturally have a ribbed texture, so consider the tomato variety.

4. Mold Growth

The presence of any fuzzy white or green mold immediately renders the tomato unsafe to eat. Toss it out! Mold can penetrate deeper than just the surface.

5. Odor

A fresh tomato should have a pleasant, earthy smell. If you notice a strong, unpleasant, or sour fermented smell, don’t risk eating it. Bad odors suggest spoilage.

6. Leaks or Bruising

Don’t use tomatoes with cracks, leaks, or bruises. This physical damage accelerates decomposition and provides entry points for bacteria. Discard them promptly.

7. Attracts Fruit Flies

Swarms of fruit flies around your tomatoes often indicate spoilage. The pesky flies are attracted to the smell of decay and feed on bacteria.

What Do Bad Tomatoes Look Like on The Inside?

Sometimes it’s hard to judge a tomato’s condition just by the external signs. You often can’t get the full picture until you slice into it.

Here’s what to look for when cutting open suspicious tomatoes:

• Unusual softness or sliminess
• Discoloration
• Mold near the seeds or jelly insides
• Foul, sour odor
• Excess moisture or juice

Trust your senses – if the internal quality seems off, play it safe and throw it away.

Can You Eat a Tomato with a Bruise or Soft Spot?

It’s best avoid tomatoes with any bruising, soft spots, or damage. The impacted area is vulnerable to early spoilage, mold, and bacteria growth. Discard the whole tomato if you notice these issues.

While it may seem wasteful, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food safety.

What About Wrinkled Tomatoes – Are They Safe To Eat?

Wrinkled skin alone doesn’t necessarily make a tomato unsafe. The wrinkles themselves are harmless and usually due to dehydration or age.

However, old wrinkled tomatoes often have compromised flavor and texture. If the tomato smells and tastes fine, it can still be eaten – for example, in cooked dishes where appearance doesn’t matter as much. But, it’s probably not ideal for fresh eating.

When in doubt, it’s best to discard excessively wrinkled tomatoes to guarantee top quality.

Can You Save a Moldy Tomato by Cutting Off the Mold?

No, do not attempt to salvage a moldy tomato by cutting away the moldy parts.

Mold can spread through the tomato in places you can’t see, so the entire vegetable should be discarded. Consuming hidden mold remnants may cause illness or allergic reactions. Don’t take any chances on mold!

How To Store Tomatoes to Prevent Spoilage

Proper storage is key to maintaining freshness and extending your tomatoes’ shelf life. Here are some tomato storage tips:

• Keep unripe tomatoes stem-side down at room temperature to ripen properly.

• Store ripe tomatoes stem-side up on the counter, out of direct sunlight. Avoid placing tomatoes in sealed plastic bags.

• Refrigerate overripe tomatoes in a breathable container, away from moisture. The cold environment slows decomposition.

• Canning, pickling, and dehydrating are great preservation methods for bumper crops of tomatoes.

• Avoid subjecting tomatoes to excess moisture, heat, or physical damage to prevent quick spoilage. Handle with care!

What Happens If You Eat a Bad Tomato?

Eating spoiled tomatoes can potentially cause food poisoning, stomach issues, or other gastrointestinal distress.

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and weakness lasting 1-3 days.

Seek medical treatment if food poisoning symptoms are severe or persist longer than 3 days. Discard any remaining tomatoes to prevent recontamination.

I hope these tips help you identify bad tomatoes and know when to toss them in the trash. Trust your senses – if a tomato shows any signs of aging, damage, or just seems “off,” it’s safest not to eat it or use it in cooking.

Following proper tomato storage methods, handling with care, and monitoring for visual/textural signs of spoilage are the keys to enjoying fresh, delicious tomatoes. With this knowledge in your kitchen skillset, you can avoid wasting money on bad tomatoes and the potential downsides of eating them.