Do bean sprouts with a sour taste remain safe to eat?

Bean sprouts with a sour odor are not recommended for further consumption.

Fresh, normal bean sprouts should have a clean, fresh scent without any off-odor. A sour or rancid smell indicates spoilage and microbial deterioration; therefore, such bean sprouts should not be consumed. Internally, sour-smelling bean sprouts have already undergone decay and spoilage, resulting in reduced nutritional value and significant proliferation of microorganisms and bacteria—making them unsuitable for consumption due to potential adverse effects on health.

Bean sprouts—also known as “sprout vegetables”—are rich in vitamin C and thus offer certain therapeutic benefits for scurvy. The riboflavin (vitamin B2) content in bean sprouts helps heal oral ulcers, and regular, moderate consumption can effectively prevent their recurrence. Additionally, bean sprouts are high in dietary fiber and water content, which aid digestion, promote intestinal motility, and exert a lubricating, laxative effect—effectively alleviating constipation. Regular, appropriate intake of bean sprouts can also help prevent the accumulation of harmful substances—such as cholesterol and fats—in arterial walls, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.