Potatoes will sprout when the conditions are right. If your spuds are in a well-lit area of the kitchen, in a basket with onions or on the counter after spending time in the refrigerator, they'll end up with "eyes."
It might be tempting to store your potatoes in the coldest place in the house to avoid this, but you should never store potatoes in the fridge. The starches can convert to sugar and produce dangerous chemicals when cooked.
It depends. If your potatoes have just begun to sprout, you may still be able to salvage them by cutting off the sprouted areas with a kitchen knife or potato peeler. If there are several large sprouts and the potatoes appear shriveled or wrinkled, toss them.
Follow the same food safety rules with sprouted potatoes as with any other aging produce: When in doubt, throw it out. According to the National Capital Poison Center, it's best to throw away potatoes that have already sprouted.
All potatoes contain two natural toxins called solanine and chaconine. Over time, these toxins naturally increase, especially if exposed to light. These toxins live in the potato sprouts and skin; the white flesh of the potato contains much less.
While it would take multiple servings of any potato recipe to feel the effects of these toxins, they can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever. Symptoms are usually mild but can be more severe in some people.
It's important to know how to store potatoes. Keep your potatoes in a cool, dry place like the pantry or a cabinet. Potato storage containers like these stackable baskets are ideal for tight spaces. Keep potatoes away from onions, as the gases from those veggies could speed up the sprouting process.
And while those giant bags of spuds are tempting for their cost savings, it's safer to buy your potatoes as needed instead. If you do buy potatoes in bulk, consider storing them in a breathable, cotton storage bag in a cool, dark place.
Sprouting is just one sign that you should rethink eating that potato. Ideally, a potato should be firm to touch and have tight, unblemished skin. If your potato has become mushy or soft, or has blemishes, bruises or black spots, you should probably throw it out.
Smell is another great way to tell if a potato isn't safe to eat. While potatoes generally smell earthy, a musty or moldy odor is a surefire sign that your potatoes need to go in the bin.