The decision to discard should be based on spoilage signals: a sour or fermented odor, visible mold anywhere on the rind or flesh, leaking liquid, or large soft and darkened areas. Any one of these signs is sufficient reason to throw the fruit away. When in doubt, experts advise choosing fresh produce from reliable sources rather than taking the risk.
A cracked interior is not the most useful thing to look at when assessing a watermelon. The spoilage checklist — smell, texture, color, mold — gives a far more reliable answer about whether the fruit is worth eating.
