Is it safe to eat potatoes with green skin?

Green potatoes should be taken seriously. Although the green color itself is not harmful, it may indicate the presence of a toxin called solanine. Peeling green potatoes can help reduce solanine levels, but once a potato has turned green, it’s best to throw it away.

How much green on a potato is safe?

A recent study suggested that a 16-oz (450-gram) fully green potato is enough to make a small adult ill. Cooking does not destroy the solanine toxin, so the green parts of potatoes should be removed entirely.

Can you eat potato skins that are green?

Simply cut off the green part and use the rest of the potato safely. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, it’s best to also remove the potato’s skin because more solanine can be found in the skin. To prevent your potatoes from turning green too soon, always store them away from direct sunlight.

What happens if you eat slightly green potatoes?

Eating a green potato is unlikely to kill you, but it’s best to avoid them. If your potato only has a few green spots you may be able to salvage them. You can try peeling off the skin or cutting off the green parts, but if they still taste bitter, get rid of them.

Is it OK to cook slightly green potatoes?

Cooking a green potato does not render it safe. If the green portion of the potato is only on the top of the skin or in a small area, a person can usually cut out that portion and safely eat the remainder. However, if the potato tastes bitter, a person should not continue to eat it.

What does green skin on a potato mean?

The green skin on potatoes comes from chlorophyll pigmentation. Chlorophyll in itself is not an issue, but it is the other response to light that occurs in a potato tuber which can be toxic. When exposed to light, potato tubers also increase the production of the colorless solanine alkaloid.

Is solanine destroyed by cooking?

Control. Solanine is not removed by boiling, but it can be destroyed by frying. Solanine poisoning is uncommon as cooks and the public are aware of the problem and tend to avoid green potatoes, in any case, consumption of up to 5 g of green potato per kg body weight per day does not appear to cause acute illness.

How long does it take to get solanine poisoning?

8 to 12 hours
Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 hours after ingestion, but may occur as rapidly as 10 minutes after eating high-solanine foods.

What are the signs of solanine poisoning?

Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal or stomach pain.
• Delirium (agitation and confusion)
• Diarrhea.
• Dilated (wide) pupils.
• Fever.
• Hallucinations.
• Headache.
• Loss of sensation.

How does the body get rid of solanine?

Most people can easily cope with the solanine in the average portion of potato and show no symptoms of poisoning because the body can break it down and rapidly and excrete the products in the urine.

How fast is solanine poisoning?

Symptoms usually occur 8 to 12 hours after ingestion, but may occur as rapidly as 10 minutes after eating high-solanine foods.