Green Crisp

[zombie1000]

I used to hear the old wives tale that a green crisp can cause cancer. I have now read many articles that state that this is indeed true. You should always cut eyes or green bits from a potato before eating it. Is this really the case?

[KittyGlitter]

I found this off the Food Standards Agency website:

All potatoes contain natural toxins called glycoalkaloids, usually at low levels. But higher levels of glycoalkaloids can be found in green parts of potatoes, sprouted potatoes and potatoes stored in light. Severeglycoalkaloid poisoning is very rare, but it's important to store potatoes in a dark, cool and dry place and not to eat green or sprouting parts. If you've removed the green parts and the potatoes still taste bitter, don't eat them.And if you come across a green potato crisp, it's probably best not to eat it

[pops91710]

This is interesting. Here in America we eat crisps by the tons and I have never heard of this issue. I have eaten some with green spots for decades and have never experienced any problems.

[LazyGun]

It may or may not be true, in the sense that cancer causing chemicals may be present in the "green spot". I find it highly unlikely that eating the occasional "green spot",by accident or design, would be likely to cause cancer.