Potatoes are a nutritious and versatile vegetable—from fries to mashed, they're delicious in all forms. Those little spuds pack plenty of health benefits and are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. And while most potatoes are completely safe to eat, they do contain a type of natural toxin that, if it builds up, might make you sick after consumption. That's why it's best to monitor the appearance of the potatoes you're storing (see below for more on how to store potatoes).
Lauren Harris-Pincus, M.S., RDN, author of The Everything Easy Pre-Diabetes Cookbook and The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club, explains, "Potatoes contain two kinds of glycoalkaloids, both natural toxins, called solanine and chaconine, and while the whole potato contains these glycoalkaloids, the concentration is highest in the eyes, green skin and sprouts that form."
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The green hue actually comes from chlorophyll, which isn't toxic, but its green color is a good indication that there's excess glycoalkaloid concentration and that you'll want to toss the potato out. "Fresh potatoes should not look sprouted or have any green hue on the skin," says Harris-Pincus.
As they age, or with improper storage, potatoes may develop sprouting and green spots. If there isn't any sprouting, you can use the color change as an indicator of spoilage. If the skin looks greenish or if there's sprouting present, you'll need to remove the sprouts or toss the whole potato, depending on severity.
Why It's Not Safe to Eat Sprouted Potatoes
Sprouting means that the toxin levels are too high and the potato is no longer safe for consumption. According to Diana M. Pei, Pharm. D., a certified specialist in poison information on Poison.org, solanine and chaconine can cause symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular bowel movements, diarrhea, headache, brain fog, redness or a flushed complexion, confusion or fever.
There have been cases of death after eating toxic potatoes, according to a 2022 study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. Generally, though, you can treat symptoms at home. The onset of symptoms is typically within a few hours, but it can take up to a day, in some cases.
How to Reduce Toxicity
Ultimately, the best way to protect yourself is to toss out potatoes containing green patches or sprouting. However, if you do notice sprouting or a green tint in some areas, you can try and remove them with a sharp paring knife and still cook with the rest of the potato—although it's important to note that this isn't recommended.
"Unfortunately, cooking does not destroy these compounds, so it's not advisable to prepare or eat potatoes with the sprouts or green parts," says Harris-Pincus. "However, it is probably OK to eat potatoes that have sprouted if you can cut away the entire sprout and any green-tinged parts of the potato, and if they are not wrinkly and shriveled."
You definitely want to be more careful if you plan on eating potatoes with the skin on in general, as that's where toxins reside. "I use a paring knife to dig out the eyes once I have snapped off the sprout and if there is more than a small area that looks green, I throw away the potato," says Harris-Pincus.
How to Store Potatoes to Reduce Sprouting
While the Costco-sized bag of potatoes might be tempting, Harris-Pincus suggests only buying potatoes as you need them to prevent spoilage. "If you do have extra, store them in a cool, dark place and make sure to keep them away from onions, which release gases and can cause potatoes to sprout faster," advises Harris-Pincus.
Keep potatoes in a cool, dark and well-ventilated place, such as a pantry or cabinet. Avoid high temperatures, keep them away from kitchen appliances and make sure they're away from direct sunlight—in other words, your countertops might not be the best spot for your spuds. "Excess exposure to light causes a buildup of the solanine that turns the skin green," explains Harris-Pincus.
It's also worth noting that you shouldn't put potatoes in the refrigerator or freezer prior to cooking unless you partially cook them first. "Colder temperatures lower than 50 degrees cause a potato's starch to convert to sugar, resulting in a sweet taste and discoloration when cooked," says Harris-Pincus.
To help your potatoes last longer, keep them loose and in a dark area at room temperature—like in a wire basket in your pantry. And lastly, wait to wash your potatoes until you're ready to cook them, as any dampness could also cause early spoilage.
How Long Do Potatoes Last?
The Bottom Line
Potatoes can be a healthy, tasty part of a varied diet. Potatoes that have green spots or sprouts can contain toxins, so unless you can completely cut those parts out, it's best to toss them. Store potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place to prevent sprouting and premature spoilage.
