How to Tell If an Apple Is Rotten, Before You Accidentally Eat It
Diet & NutritionFood Safety

How to Tell If an Apple Is Still Good to Eat

How to Tell If an Apple Is Still Good to Eat
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Updated on December 9, 2025
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Have you seen mold on apples and other fruits in your fridge or cupboard? Then it's time to toss them. Like most fruits, apples may make you sick if you’re eating them after their expiration date. Here’s everything you need to know.

What Causes Apples to Rot?

These juicy fruits have a long shelf life and can last for weeks. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell whether an apple is rotten or just overripe but still edible. First, make sure you understand what causes apples to go brown and rot.

Many fruits, including apples, bananas, pears, plums, peaches, and mangos, produce ethylene as part of the ripening process, according to The Foundation for Fresh Produce. Ethylene is a type of gas that has a direct impact on the texture, flavor, and nutritional value of these fruits, the Agriculture Institute explains.

Ethylene, however, isn't the only factor responsible for fruit decay. Environmental factors like mold, fungi, light, moisture, and temperature also play a role in the viability of your apples.

Why Is Mold Harmful for Apples?

Microorganisms, such as fungi and mold, can affect the shelf life of your apples, too. Warm and humid storage conditions, for instance, promote mold growth, according to the University of Minnesota. Michigan State University adds that some types of mold can also develop in the refrigerator, which is why it's important to clean your fridge regularly and keep fresh or cut fruits and put them in a covered plastic container.

But aside from rotten foods, mold may also lead to respiratory problems and allergies, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Certain species produce harmful substances called mycotoxins. These compounds are often to blame for foodborne illnesses, impaired immune function, and even cancer, the World Health Organization explains.

Hundreds of mycotoxins exist. But according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), one mycotoxin in particular, known as patulin, affects the juice and cider found in apples. A patulin contamination in your apples or apple juice can lead to nausea and vomiting if you ingest large quantities.

That said, it’s important to know when to throw moldy apples out. In general, moldy fruits have coin-sized velvety circles on their skin. If you notice these signs, discard the apple by putting it in a paper bag or wrapping it in plastic. The USDA also recommends refraining from sniffing the fruit, as you might inhale mold spores, which can lead to respiratory symptoms or allergic reactions.

Know What to Look For

Brown spots inside an apple are not a reason for concern. As we now know, ethylene and exposure to oxygen may cause fruits to go brown. The apple is safe to eat as long as there are no signs of mold. However, it's best to avoid fruits with bruises, cuts, or other signs of damage, as they may be more prone to mold, Pennsylvania State University notes.

If you purchase apples in a bag, check the expiration date. Make sure they have no signs of mold or holes caused by insects. Always buy these fruits before they're fully ripe. A healthy apple shouldn't be soft or leak juice.

The American Heart Association also recommends storing apples away from other produce. Since they release ethylene gas, they may cause other fruits and vegetables to rot. If you keep the apples in a refrigerator, they should last for at least one week, if not more. When stored on the countertop, they’ll last no longer than seven days.

Now that you know how to check if your apples are safe and how to keep them that way, apples are a good way to maintain a well-balanced diet — and they’re tasty, too.

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Reyna Franco, RDN

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Reyna Franco, RDN, is a New York City–based dietitian-nutritionist, certified specialist in sports dietetics, and certified personal trainer. She is a diplomate of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine and has a master's degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Columbia University.

In her private practice, she provides medical nutrition therapy for weight management, sports nutrition, diabetes, cardiac disease, renal disease, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, food allergies, eating disorders, and childhood nutrition. To serve her diverse patients, she demonstrates cultural sensitivity and knowledge of customary food practices. She applies the tenets of lifestyle medicine to reduce the risk of chronic disease and improve health outcomes for her patients.

Franco is also a corporate wellness consultant who conducts wellness counseling and seminars for organizations of every size. She taught sports nutrition to medical students at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, taught life cycle nutrition and nutrition counseling to undergraduate students at LaGuardia Community College, and precepts nutrition students and interns. She created the sports nutrition rotation for the New York Distance Dietetic Internship program.

She is the chair of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine's Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist Member Interest Group. She is also the treasurer and secretary of the New York State Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, having previously served in many other leadership roles for the organization, including as past president, awards committee chair, and grant committee chair, among others. She is active in the local Greater New York Dietetic Association and Long Island Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, too.

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Andra Picincu

Andra Picincu, CN, CPT

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Andra Picincu is a certified nutritionist, personal trainer, and content writer with more than 15 years of experience. She holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and in marketing and international business, and she’s dedicated to helping people improve their health through sustainable lifestyle changes.

She began her writing career when she was in college. Over the next few years, she took the steps to become a nutritionist and personal trainer, which allowed her to focus on these areas in her work. Today she contributes regularly to major health and lifestyle publications, including The List, Health Digest, Everyday Health, Aging in Place, and Stack. Her expertise revolves around sports nutrition, healthy eating, fitness, and mental well-being.

Outside of work, Andra spends as much time as possible outdoors—hiking, riding horses, pet sitting, and exploring the Nordic countries. With a strong interest in Scandinavian culture, she travels often to Denmark and neighboring regions to study the everyday habits that keep people there among the happiest and healthiest in the world.

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