What you see: Shriveled-looking or missing kernels on an ear of corn; some kernels may be irregularly shaped. What it is: A poorly pollinated ear of a
White stuff oozing out of your squash?
What you see: White stuff oozing out of cut squash when you microwave it; or clear, sticky stuff seeping out during peeling and chopping. What it is: Likely a
Sprouted squash seeds?
What you see: Sprouting seeds when you cut open your squash. What it is: Sprouting seeds! Eat or toss? The squash flesh is still safe to eat and feel free to
A moldy tomato
What you see: A moldy tomato. What it is: A moldy tomato. Eat or toss: Toss! So, can you eat a tomato with mold? No. A tomato overtaken with mold is no
Brown spots on potato chips? (Plus, lasers!)
What you see: Brown or black areas on your potato chips. What it is: Minor imperfections that don’t impact the safety of the chip—they could be bruises or the
Dark streaks on your mango’s skin?
What you see: Darkened skin in a drip pattern around the stem of your mango. What it is: A chemical burn from the mango’s naturally occurring sap. Eat or toss:
Dirty, bumpy stuff stuck to squash?
What you see: Corky, bumpy, light brown stuff on the surface of the squash. It may look like dirt, but it won’t wash off. What it is: Healed over areas; they
A rough brown band around apples
What you see: Rough brown skin forming a thick band that partially or entirely encircles the fruit. The apple is probably shaped a bit oddly too. What it is:
Why does some broccoli look blue?
What you see: Broccoli with a blueish tingeWhat it is: Plant pigments and/or a waxy coating on the broccoli Eat or toss: Eat! This is normal for broccoli Why
Purple splotches on your cauliflower?
What you see: White cauliflower with some random purple patches in the branches and stemWhat it is: Bonus colors from anthocyanins, common plant pigments Eat or
Grayish smudges or spots on your eggshell?
What you see: Translucent, watercolor-like smudges and spots on your eggshellWhat it is: Mottling, or a place where moisture is trapped in the shellEat or toss:
Brown speckles on your apricot?
What you see: Brown speckles on your dried apricot What it is: Natural variation on the apricot’s skin Eat or toss: Eat! Is it safe to eat dried apricots
Brown area inside avocado
What you see: A brown area inside your avocado.What it is: The avocado could have been dropped or otherwise bumped; and/or it could be infected.Eat or toss: Cut
What’s that dirty spot on your egg?
What you see: Specks of grime stuck to an egg. What it is: Chicken feces (eww), possibly also dirt or bits of the carton. Eat or toss: Eat! But use some caution
White stuff on your dates?
What you see: White patches on dates you’ve had for a while What it is: Sugar! Eat or toss: It’s just sugar. The dates will probably be harder and drier than
Brown dots or streaks in your avocado?
What you see: Brown and black streaks or dots in avocado flesh What it is: Vascular browning! Mmmm! Eat or toss? The avocado is edible, but may not taste as
