Are Potato Eyes Poisonous?

Discussion in 'Food & Drinks' started by John Brunner, Jan 28, 2021.

  1. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,220
    Likes Received:
    37,032
    The National Institute of Health's Medline Plus site says:

    Potato plant poisoning occurs when someone eats the green tubers or new sprouts of the potato plant.
    [snip]
    The poison is found throughout the plant, but particularly in green potatoes and new sprouts. Never eat potatoes that are spoiled or green below the skin. Always throw away the sprouts.


    The Idaho Potato Commission says:

    The answer to this question [My Grandmother told me that they eyes of the potatoes are poisonous and I shouldn’t eat them, is this true?] is short and very simple...no! The eyes of the potatoes are just the roots growing out of the potato and they are completely harmless.

    I bet every single one of us digs out the sprouts.
     
    #1
    Von Jones likes this.
  2. Bill Boggs

    Bill Boggs Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    May 13, 2015
    Messages:
    5,747
    Likes Received:
    7,725
    I didn’t know they were poison. I have scraped off the growth but have only dug out
    a very few, maybe three or four. In my life time there have been only a few instances when
    growth was an issue because we use them before growth occurs. I have eaten a few
    green potatoes and suppose I have thrown away a few potatoes with growth.
     
    #2
    John Brunner likes this.
  3. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,220
    Likes Received:
    37,032
    I've only thrown them away when they've gotten soft.
     
    #3
    Von Jones likes this.
  4. Martin Alonzo

    Martin Alonzo Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2015
    Messages:
    6,536
    Likes Received:
    6,852
    Eyes of the potato are poisonous if they have see the light of day. Joking but true.
    From the AMA handbook of poisonous plants.
    The poison is Solanine has relatively little toxicity in adults, but fatal intoxication have occurred in children.
     
    #4
    Last edited: Jan 28, 2021
  5. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,220
    Likes Received:
    37,032
    I wonder what the level of ingestion was.
     
    #5
  6. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,821
    Likes Received:
    9,767
    Never any green potatoes or that turned green; cut off new growth (roots); always throw away the soft potatoes just because they ARE soft. Potatoes don't last long here any more. A five pound bag will be gone in a week. I love my home fries with onions. Hmmmmmmmmmm.
     
    #6
  7. Trevalius Guyus

    Trevalius Guyus Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 22, 2020
    Messages:
    792
    Likes Received:
    1,042
    #7
  8. John Brunner

    John Brunner Senior Staff
    Staff Member Senior Staff Greeter Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    May 29, 2020
    Messages:
    25,220
    Likes Received:
    37,032
    I didn't know there were that many folks in your household, Von. Although you have a daughter and grandchild nearby, right?

    And I agree about home fries and onions. I make a big batch and freeze individual portions. But ain't no way I'd eat 5# a week!
     
    #8
  9. Von Jones

    Von Jones Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Messages:
    6,821
    Likes Received:
    9,767
    There is only two. It's all me and there really isn't that many potatoes these days in a 5# bag. It's not just home fries that I use the potatoes for beef stew, vegetable soup, mashed, scalloped when I feel like it.
     
    #9
    Beth Gallagher likes this.
  10. Hal Pollner

    Hal Pollner Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2018
    Messages:
    6,161
    Likes Received:
    4,371
    Never bake a potato whose eyes wink at you...
     
    #10

Share This Page