Warning, Illinois! If Your Watermelon is Foaming, That’s Really Dangerous

Killing the summertime heat in the Midwest can be done with a juicy piece of watermelon, yum! But if your watermelon is "foaming" this is extremely dangerous. FoodNWine

Watermelon, simple and delicious. Buy it, cut it up and serve it. But what if your watermelon is "foaming?" Check this out:

Bacteria can be introduced into a watermelon while growing on the vine. The bacteria combine with the sugars and yeast inside the melon and start the fermentation process. The foam — which seeps out of the melon through cracks in the rind — is a sign that fermentation is happening. - Bangor

So here's the deal, this is a hot summer and the watermelons are reaction. The hot temps can speed all that up and then it's bad news.

“There have been increases in hot weather in those parts of the country, fruits have a natural sugar called fructose, and under extended and undesirable storage conditions, it will ferment.” - Kathy Savoie, professor, and food safety expert at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension

First things first, if your watermelon foams...DO NOT EAT.  It can make nasty bacteria and viruses, including botulism, E.coli, and salmonella take over the watermelon. Well that's not good.

Actually, if that foaming thing starts while your watermelon is in the kitchen...dispose of it ASAP. This could actually cause the watermelon to explode! Not in the funny Gallagher way, but BOOM!

Foaming watermelon, bad. It will make you sick.

Foaming watermelon, bad. Could explode.

Toss it ASAP.