Is it safe to eat a banana with mold on the stem?

Author: Dr. Percy Wunsch III  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Of course, if bananas don't smell right or there is mold on the stem (which could more easily penetrate the fruit), it's best to throw them away. In general, if you're not sure if moldy food is safe to eat, Dr. Craggs-Dino says to err on the side of caution: “If in doubt, throw it out.”

Can I still eat a banana if the stem is moldy?

Yes, bananas with mold on the stems are no longer safe to eat.

Can mold grow inside a banana?

On a freshly peeled banana it would take 6-7 days to show signs of any kind of mold... You are most likely seeing the thin fibers from within the banana peel when you pulled the top stem off or since the banana is ripe it could just be juicy sugar strands from the banana itself.

Can I eat a banana with nigrospora?

You should avoid to eat this. This is Nigrospora disease. It's a fungal disease what causes the middle part of the banana to turn red. This can infect the fruit in tropical climates where bananas are grown. There are some other diseases too causing the banana red like Mokillo, blood disease bacterium etc.

When should you not eat a banana?

Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye. If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

Should I Eat Fruit If There’s A Mouldy One In The Mix?

What does Nigrospora do to humans?

Although human infections with Nigrospora species, particularly Nigrospora sphererica, have been reported, corneal ulcers, respiratory allergies, onychomycosis, deep fungal infections, and skin infections have been observed in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.

Is it safe to eat bananas with black spots inside?

Scientific studies suggest that bananas with black spots may play a role in preventing certain types of cancer. Bananas, especially those with black spots, are rich in essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and fibre.

Do refrigerated bananas go bad?

If you're curious about how to keep bananas fresh for longer, you should know about how to store bananas in your refrigerator. If you place them in the refrigerator, fully ripe bananas will last 5 to 7 days.

What to do with rotting bananas?

40 Recipes for Ripe and Overripe Bananas
  1. Banana Teff Bread. Banana is the main sweetener in this gluten-free banana bread. ...
  2. Southern-Style Banana Pudding Parfaits. ...
  3. Blueberry-Banana Wraps. ...
  4. Just Bananas Muffins. ...
  5. Mango Smoothie Bowl. ...
  6. Chocolaty Black Bean Pancakes. ...
  7. Banana and Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies. ...
  8. Banana Almond Granola.

What does banana fungus look like?

Nigrospora is a fungal disease that causes the centre of the banana to turn dark red. Nigrospora can infect the fruit in tropical climates where bananas are grown. Mokillo, moko, and blood disease bacterium are bacterial diseases that can also cause red discoloration in bananas.

Can you eat fruit with a little mold?

When you find a few moldy pieces of fruit inside a container, throw out the moldy fruit and any pieces of fruit that are directly touching them. Take a close look at the remaining pieces of fruit: if there are no signs of mold and the fruit is not overly mushy, thoroughly wash the fruit prior to consuming.

Is banana fungus harmful to humans?

Even though the fungus doesn't reach the fruits, and doesn't create any health danger for consumers, it can have an enormous impact on the availability (and cost) of bananas in our supermarkets.

What is the fungus in banana stem?

Caused by multiple species of fungi including Colletotrichum musae, Fusarium oxysporum and Fusarium semitectum. Occurs first on fruit neck. Smooth reddish brown to black spots (0.5-1mm) with water-soaked margins. Previously known as 'swamp spot', 'salt and pepper spot' and 'Deightoniella spot'.

What to do if you accidentally eat mold?

It bears repeating that most of the time, eating mold isn't going to mess up your body. So if you realize too late that you ate something with mold on it but you still feel fine, both food safety experts say you're good to go about living your life.

How long does banana stem last?

Freshly harvested Banana stems should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. The stems will keep for 1 to 2 days when wrapped in plastic and stored in the refrigerator. The stems can also be soaked in buttermilk and stored in the fridge to keep the stems fresh.

How do you know if bananas are too bad to eat?

If the banana is totally brown with no yellow showing, is soft or squishy, is showing signs of mold, is leaking fluid or smells rotten, it is beyond saving. A banana that is ripe will have a yellow skin covered in brown spots, will smell sweetly of banana and will be the texture of a ripe avocado.

Why should bananas not be stored in the fridge?

Bananas grow in hot climates, so they are unused to the cold. If they're kept at a cold temperature, the enzymes that enable them to ripen are inhibited. And as those enzymes become inactive, other enzymes operate more efficiently. Some cause cell damage, while others (browning enzymes) cause the skin to blacken.

Can bananas get moldy?

As with most produce, there comes a point of no return. If the bananas have any visible signs of mold, throw them out. If they smell off, that's another good indicator that they are no longer okay to use. Rotten bananas will often have a fermented or alcohol-like smell.

What are the black spots on banana stems?

Fungal and bacterial diseases are primary causes of black spots. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) helps control and prevent spots. Pruning and sanitation are key in managing plant health.

Can you use bananas with mold on the peel for banana bread?

If you notice any mold on your bananas, it's time to throw them away or toss them in the compost bin. The black skin itself is not mold. Mold on bananas is fuzzy white, gray, or greenish—it looks a lot like mold on bread. If a banana smells rotten or fermented or is leaking fluid, it's time to say goodbye.

Are black bananas in fridge safe to eat?

The cold temperature of the fridge will cause the skin of the bananas to darken after a few days. The bananas will still be edible at this point, but you should look for signs of mold or if the flesh has begun to ferment or smell off—this means they're probably rotten and at this point, they should be discarded.

What is the fungal disease in bananas?

Fusarium wilt of banana, popularly known as Panama disease, is a lethal fungal disease caused by the soil-borne fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

What is the disease threatening bananas?

Panama disease (or Fusarium wilt) is a plant disease that infects banana plants (Musa spp.). It is a wilting disease caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

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