Foaming Watermelon? Why You Should Never Eat It – Health Experts Warn

Watermelon is considered one of the most beloved fruits of the summer season, but in some cases, it can actually be dangerous to eat. Sterling Fournier, a popular TikTok content creator with 6.4 million followers, attracted widespread attention after posting a video that received 8.2 million views, in which he warns about potentially hazardous watermelons.

Fournier explained in a series of videos that if a watermelon starts to foam or leak fluid when cut, it should be discarded immediately. He noted that these signs indicate a rotting process that promotes the growth of harmful bacteria, which can lead to food poisoning. “It’s not a rare occurrence,” he said, emphasizing that the risk increases particularly at the end of the summer season, when spoiled fruit becomes more common.

In the video, he mentioned that the foam can sometimes be more visible than what he showed, and may even appear white. The reason for the foam is prolonged exposure of the watermelon to heat, which leads to the creation of gases and internal pressure that results in the foaming.

Food safety experts confirmed his claims, explaining that the fermentation process generates gases that can cause a watermelon to burst. Even slicing a watermelon undergoing fermentation can pose health risks.

Additionally, experts clarified that bacteria can enter the watermelon during its growth, and the appearance of foam is a sign of fermentation occurring inside. Harmful bacteria and viruses can develop in food undergoing unsafe fermentation.

If you come across a foaming watermelon, throw it away and protect your health.