Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your spinach has gone bad. Some common traits of bad spinach are a darkened color, a moist texture and a strong smell. Spinach will first become a darker green and then turn toward black as it ages.

What happens if you eat bad spinach?

Contaminated spinach typically harbors norovirus — the common stomach bug linked with vomiting and diarrhea — and sometimes carries E. coli as well.

How do you know if the spinach is bad?

And you'll definitely know when your spinach has gone bad. The edges of the once bright, crisp green leaves will first turn yellow, and eventually, the leaves will get gnarly and soggy, often taking on an unpleasant smell. At that point, your spinach is better off in the compost pile than on your plate.