Potatoes are a staple part of our diet because they are so nutritious and versatile, but are they always completely safe to eat and how do we know when they have gone off. In the UK each person will eat an average of 103kg of potatoes as year, that is the equivalent of 500 medium sized potatoes.
They do normally last for long time, but they also contain a type of natural toxin that could make you sick if it builds up..
The length of time that potatoes stay fresh can depend on where they are stored and whether they have been cooked or not.
Normally, they can last from one week to a few months. Storing them at cooler temperatures can help mean they keep for longer.
Once cooked, potatoes last up to 4 days in the refrigerator and 1 year in the freezer, though the quality of cooked mashed potatoes suffers with freezing.
If your potato has signs of sprouts, it does not immediately mean they have gone off.
You can snap them off, but don't eat them because they can contain some toxins that are not good for your digestive system.
These toxins may also exist in any part of the potato that has a greenish tint. Therefore, it’s best to cut away any green parts on the skin or flesh to avoid getting sick
Here are some of the signs to look out for if your potatoes have gone bad:
- Raw potatoes should be firm to touch with a hard skin that doesn't have any bruises or black spots.
- A musty or mouldy smell can also be sign the potato has gone off
A potato might have a blemish or bad spot on the inside that you can’t see from the outside. A strong smell coming from an otherwise fresh-looking potato is a warning that the inside may have rotted or started to mould.
Sprouts are a sign of imminent spoilage in potatoes. Recently sprouted potatoes are still safe to eat as long as you remove the sprouts.
You should eat cooked potatoes within four days and always reheat them to 74°C to kill any bacteria that may have formed
The best way to store potatoes is in a cool, dark place, and make sure you keep them away from onions, which release gases that can cause potatoes to sprout faster.
But you shouldn't store them in the fridge because colder temperatures case the potato's starch to convert to sugar, resulting in a sweet taste and discoloration when cooked.
