Image Credit: M Kazim
I got far too comfortable with potatoes because they are such a familiar food that everyone eats, and it doesn't really seem possible they could harm anyone until I read about an unusual incident that happened a few years ago. I took it seriously enough to look this up.
In 2014, a family in Russia died after going into their basement to check on potatoes that had been left there for a long time. One by one they went down and then collapsed inside, and only the 8-year-old girl survived after being left upstairs. Apparently they were overcome by gases that had built up in the enclosed area where the potatoes had rotted, turning it into a dangerous atmosphere.
Reading this led me into looking more into the proper storage of potatoes, and I also found out about solanine (unrelated to the incident but worth mentioning).
Solanine is a natural toxic compound (glycoalkaloid) found in potatoes, which the plant produces to defend itself against pests. It occurs in higher concentrations after exposure to light, if the potatoes turn green, if they sprout heavily, or if they start to rot. It can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, headaches, dizziness, and, in severe cases, neurological symptoms. This is not a gas being generated; it's a compound within the potato itself.
The more I read, the more I realised that potatoes are one of those foods we often leave forgotten in the back of a cupboard or cellar because they seem so harmless.
In fact, modern retail even sells potatoes individually shrink-wrapped in plastic, despite the fact they’re naturally a bulk, breathable storage food.
In reality, they should be stored in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated place. They should be protected from direct sunlight to prevent greening, kept away from excess moisture that encourages rot, and checked regularly so that any spoiled potatoes can be removed before they affect the rest. If one potato starts rotting, it can quickly spread decay to the others.
They should also never be left in sealed or poorly ventilated spaces for long periods. While this is extremely unlikely in a normal household, allowing large amounts of organic matter to decompose in an enclosed area can create unsafe conditions.
So, apart from the important distinction that solanine itself is not a gas, the more general lesson is how easily we can become complacent with very ordinary, well-known foods.
Potatoes are perfectly safe when stored and handled properly but they still need proper care and storage just like any other food.
We cannot be too relaxed about them. Storing food properly and using it safely not only helps reduce waste but also protects our health.
References:
European Food Safety Authority. (2020). https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6222
Food Standards Agency. (n.d.). Food safety and hygiene. https://www.food.gov.uk
Huffington Post UK (2014)
Girl, 8, Orphaned After Gas From Rotting Potatoes Killed Her Entire Family
