5 Foods You Should Never Buy From Aldi’s Produce Section, According to Shoppers

Aldi is brimming with fan-favorite products, from the classic pantry staples to name-brand copycats and, of course, limited-edition Aldi finds. But while some items from the grocery store are tried-and-true, some customers argue that you need to “beware” of others—particularly when it comes to the produce section. Here’s a list of 5 fruits and vegetables to skip next time you’re at Aldi, according to shoppers.

The Worst Produce To Buy From Aldi

Cucumbers

Whether you’re assembling a veggie tray or building a salad, cucumbers might be better from another grocer. “Mine used to have amazing produce, but it’s unfortunately gone downhill,” said one user on Reddit about their local Aldi. “Still love Aldi, but [it is] so frustrating buying cucumbers that feel fine and then rot in two days.”

It’s not just the standard cucumbers; shoppers also complain about the 1-pound packs of miniature veggies. “I’ve bought mini cukes that would be all slimy,” recalled one shopper.

Tomatoes

If you’re planning to cook pasta for dinner, you may want to think twice—or just stop in for a jarred sauce instead. “I stopped buying fruit and tomatoes at Aldi,” reported one shopper. “They are always bad…the tomatoes are always mushy.”

And they aren’t the only ones who skip tomatoes when they shop at the German grocery chain. Another Reddit user posted photos of two types of tomatoes on store shelves—vine and grape—and both were moldy. “Beware of buying produce at Aldi,” they warned. 

Bananas

While the price may be a steal at just 16 cents per pound, Aldi’s “bananas are awful,” according to one Redditor, who said that they are “always very green and mushy by the time they start to ripen.” Another user dubbed the bananas “consistently bad.”

“We got green bananas to let ripen. They are spotted but also green,” reported another shopper in a different thread. “They were ripe, but it was weird,” they added.

Oranges

“The oranges have definitely been an issue,” wrote one shopper, who says they never know what quality of fruit they are going to get. “Sometimes they’re perfect, and it makes me want to go back and get more, and oftentimes they just don’t even taste good enough to swallow, and the only thing I eat is the cost.”

According to another customer, though, the oranges might not be a bad buy all the time. “I find the seasonal items are usually very good,” they wrote, particularly the 4-pound bags of navel oranges.

Strawberries

Many customers also warn about the berries at Aldi, even though they may look decent at first glance. “[I] just bought two containers of strawberries at Aldi,” reported one shopper, who went on to say both cartons were “all mold” within two days of buying them, despite looking fine before leaving the store.

“I had strawberries from Aldi yesterday, and about 10 of them had mold, but you couldn’t tell by the way they were situated in the carton,” added another user with a similar store experience. “My bad for not inspecting more carefully.”

Final Thoughts on Aldi’s Produce

If your favorite Aldi fruit or veggie is on the list, though, you’re not alone—the consensus on social media is that quality and selection can vary greatly from store to store. 

One user argues that the quality of Aldi’s produce varies regionally: “We live near a [distribution] center and our produce is as nice as any other grocery store.” They did note, though, that “the only thing that is iffy are the bananas.”

“The produce at Aldi in my area is great,” countered another user, who continued to say that the produce is “much better than other stores and way cheaper.”

So, don’t shy away from buying all produce at Aldi, especially if your store has a solid selection and you scan for any funky spots or smells before purchasing. Personally, I think the chain’s green grapes are some of the sweetest and crunchiest year-round, plus they’re less than $2 per pound—a no-brainer for someone who can eat multiple pounds of fruit a week.

That said, I will definitely stick to my Aldi grapes rather than swap for bananas any time soon.