What happens if I eat bad ginger?
Andrew Henderson
Published Apr 02, 2026
Rotten or moldy ginger can seriously damage your liver and can cause serious harm to your health. Moldy ginger contains a powerful toxin named Safrole. Safrole is harmful to our liver and can cause cancer as well. Therefore, one should always avoid moldy or rotten ginger.
What does ginger look like when it’s bad?
You can tell ginger root has gone bad if it is dull yellow or brown inside and especially if it looks gray or has black rings on its flesh. Bad ginger is also dry and atrophied and can be either mushy or brittle.
How can you tell if fresh ginger is bad?
Fresh ginger is somewhat firm to touch, so if it turns soft or mushy, it’s time to let it go. Same thing if the flesh starts to turn dark yellow or greyish, instead of the usual bright yellow. In short, once you see the flesh, you should know if it’s okay or not.
How long is ginger good for?
When properly stored, fresh ginger can last more than a month in the refrigerator. Peeled ginger will only last about two to three weeks, so the best way to store ginger in the fridge is to keep it unpeeled.
CAN expired ginger make you sick?
Because of the mold, the ginger will have lost its nutritional value and will become rotten quickly. If you see any spots of mold on your ginger, it’s best to through the entire piece of ginger out. The roots of mold go surprisingly deep into food and can cause you to become ill if consumed
Can you get sick from moldy ginger?
Allergies. Eating a piece of ginger after it’s had its moldy skin removed could give you a reaction if you have an allergy or sensitivity to mold. Discard the entire piece of ginger and buy a new one. Trim the skin off the ginger with a sharp paring knife and check the ginger flesh for mold.
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