Potatoes will stay fresh 'as long as 6 months' if kept in unlikely place, study finds

Potatoes are a staple for countless families, yet keeping them fresh poses quite the challenge. When stored incorrectly, they can begin to sprout, become wrinkled, turn soft, or develop an unusual green tinge.

Generally, potatoes are purchased from the non-refridgerated aisles of shops and typically end up tucked away in pantries or other cool, dark spots around the home. Nevertheless, a study once found that despite conventional wisdom, potatoes can actually be kept safely in the refrigerator. This method could potentially prolong their lifespan by as long as six months.

Traditionally, spuds have been kept away from refrigeration due to worries about elevated acrylamide levels - a compound that develops in starchy produce and could theoretically heighten cancer risks.

Yet research has demonstrated that refrigerating potatoes "doesn't actually increase acrylamide potential" when compared to the conventional approach of storing them at ambient temperature in a cupboard.

The 2023 study was overseen by the Committee on the Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and reviewed by the Food Safety Agency.

Additionally, shoppers are being urged to take note of 'best before' dates and packaging information in an effort to tackle food waste.

Specialists at Love Food Hate Waste have found that British households discard almost half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salads annually, alongside a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit.

This represents an eye-watering £2.1 billion worth of produce binned simply because it wasn't eaten quickly enough.

The organisation WRAP, which runs the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, has highlighted eye-opening research examining the accuracy of best-before dates and their role in contributing to unnecessary food waste.

WRAP's investigation revealed evidence that best-before dates might not provide the most reliable gauge of food quality, with products enduring considerably longer periods "when they last much longer" if properly stored.

Consider potatoes, for instance - whilst kept at room temperature in a kitchen cupboard, they allegedly maintain optimal quality for 10 days according to packaging guidelines.

Nevertheless, visible signs of spoilage only became apparent after a full 14 days had elapsed.

Despite packet recommendations suggesting just a 10-day lifespan, refrigerated potatoes stored at 4°C remained in excellent condition for more than twenty days beyond their best-before deadline.

Through disregarding best-before dates entirely, the experiment demonstrated that potatoes could endure extended periods both at room temperature and under cool storage conditions.

Experts have declared the fridge as the "right place" to store potatoes for maximum shelf life, stating "they'll last the longest" in such conditions.

Potatoes can remain edible for several months when kept in a cool, dark environment, and refrigeration could triple this period, possibly preserving them beyond six months.

To further prolong your potatoes' freshness, experts advise removing them from plastic packaging and placing them into a fabric bag, which prevents light exposure and allows the spuds to breathe.