[asiachick]

You can just sick from vegetables too. In fact, as much as I think I should eat more of them it's frustrating how I have to check for rot and other similar things far more often then I do with processed foods.

I know when I make something with fruit or vegetables I'll go through, rip off all the black or dark parts, throw out any rot. Often if I see rot I'll throw out the entire batch. (one bad apple....)

And then, I have to force myself not to think about how people making salads for me (ie, at a restaurant) are far less vigilant.

[phonypc]

As a rule, foodborne pathogens are invisible. And odourless.

Those rotten bits on your vegetables are probably perfectly safe to eat, if unpalatable. It might not even involve microbial spoilage at all, just enzymatic breakdown.