There are provided systems and methods for detect tags to determine perishability of food items. A merchant may utilize detector tags on, attached to, or otherwise associated with perishable items to detect conditions of the perishable items. For example, the detector tags may determine chemical properties, ambient light levels, temperatures, or other conditions for or around the perishable items. The conditions may be communicated by the tags to a user's device or the merchant's device. Where the conditions indicate that one or more of the perishable items are ready for consumption, the user may be alerted of a state of the perishable item, such as ready or ripe. The user may further be informed of where to find the perishable item in the merchant's location. However, if the perishable item has gone bad, the user and/or merchant may be warned about the item to prevent health issues.