Tomato Safety Inspection
Detect ethylene/carbide forced ripening in tomatoes
Inspection Guide
Tomato Internal Check
Tomatoes are often treated to look red on the outside while being unripe inside.
**1. The Cut Test:**
Cut the tomato in half. If the skin is red but the seeds and inner pulp are green, it signifies artificial ripening.
**2. The Texture Test:**
Artificially ripened tomatoes feel hard and "woody" compared to the soft, juicy texture of a naturally ripened vine-fresh tomato.
**3. The Water Test:**
Drop the tomato in a bucket of water. Naturally ripened tomatoes sink. Artificially ripened tomatoes often float due to hollow air pockets from forced ripening.
**4. The Shelf Life Test:**
Natural tomatoes start softening and spoiling within 3-4 days at room temperature. Artificially ripened tomatoes remain hard for weeks, which is unnatural.
Quick Safety Tips
- Cut open to check seed color
- Water float test - natural tomatoes sink
- Check texture - should be soft and juicy
- Observe shelf life - natural spoils in 3-4 days