Despite being purchased from the ambient sections of supermarkets, many people tend to stash them in cupboards or dark spaces at home. However, they should be stored differently.
Just like when storing bananas, research suggests refrigerating potatoes can remarkably extend their shelf life by at least six months.
Astoundingly, nearly half a million tonnes of fresh vegetables and salad, along with a quarter of a million tonnes of fresh fruit valued at an eye-watering £2.1billion, are discarded each year in UK homes for not being used timely, as reported by Love Food Hate Waste experts.
Concerns previously centred around elevated levels of acrylamide – a chemical produced in starchy foods that can up cancer risk – when potatoes are chilled.
Yet, substantial scientific scrutiny has now dispelled these worries, confirming that fridge storage “doesn’t actually increase acrylamide potential” when compared with room-temperature cupboard storage.
This pivotal study has been scrutinised by the Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COT) and confirmed by the FSA.
Consumers should nonetheless treat best-before dates and storage instructions on labels as essential guidance when it comes to potato preservation.
The charity WRAP, which runs the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, conducted a trial to test the accuracy of best-before dates and their impact on food waste.
The findings revealed that best-before dates may not be a reliable measure of edibility, particularly when items are stored properly to “last much longer”.
For instance, potatoes in a kitchen cupboard are labelled as best before 10 days, yet signs of spoilage only appeared four days after this date.
When stored at four degrees, the same best-before timeframe was given, but deterioration only began 20 days later.
Without any best-before dates during the trial, potatoes had an even longer shelf life, both at room temperature and refrigerated.
Experts advise that the fridge is the “right place” for storing potatoes to maximise longevity.
Potatoes can last several months in a cool, dark environment, but when refrigerated, their lifespan can triple, exceeding six months.
To further extend potato shelf life, it’s recommended to remove them from plastic packaging and store them in a fabric bag, which blocks light and allows the vegetables to breathe.
