Throw It Away
Do not eat the watermelon if you notice clear signs of spoilage.
Foaming or Bubbling
Foam coming from the watermelon is a major warning sign.
Watermelon contains natural sugars, and yeast or bacteria can begin fermenting them. As microorganisms produce gas, pressure can build inside the fruit and cause bubbling or foaming liquid.
Sour or Alcohol-Like Odor
Fresh watermelon should smell mild and sweet.
A sour, fermented, or alcohol-like smell suggests that microorganisms have begun breaking down the fruit.
Slimy Flesh
Fresh watermelon should be crisp and juicy.
A slippery or slimy surface is a strong reason to discard it.
Extremely Mushy Texture
Softening can happen with overripeness, but flesh that is collapsing, watery, or unusually mushy may indicate spoilage.
Leaking or Swollen Rind
A watermelon that is leaking, unusually swollen, cracked externally, or under visible pressure should be handled cautiously and discarded.
Why Foaming Watermelon Can
