Like every Sunday, I went grocery shopping for the week, buying fresh produce as usual. Nothing hinted this day would be different. The next evening, ready to cook dinner, I opened the fridge and pulled out the tomatoes I had purchased just 24 hours earlier.

To my surprise, the tomatoes looked strange—far from the fresh, smooth ones I had placed in the fridge. Their skins showed small, unusual marks, not the typical soft spots or wrinkles. Instead, these markings appeared patterned, as if etched into the surface.

Startled, I wondered if the tomatoes had spoiled overnight, which seemed odd given their freshness. I questioned whether it was mold or something more concerning. Food safety is a priority for me, and I wasn’t sure if these tomatoes were safe to eat.

Not willing to risk it, I discarded the tomatoes and thoroughly cleaned the refrigerator shelves where they had been stored. Better safe than sorry.

This experience reminded me how quickly food can change and the importance of inspecting produce carefully before use. Even something as ordinary as a tomato can hold unexpected surprises and potential risks.