Why You’ll Want To Avoid Keeping Potatoes In The Fridge

The general rule with vegetables is to store them in the fridge but you might want to rethink that when it comes to potatoes. Research from the Food Standards Agency (FSA) says if you have stored potatoes in the fridge, this can cause a potentially dangerous chemical reaction when you go to cook them. The FSA website states that: "when potatoes are stored in the fridge the starch in the potato is converted to sugar. "When baked or fried these sugars combine with the amino acid asparagine and produce the chemical acrylamide, which is thought to be harmful". Potatoes in the press from now on Acrylamide, is a chemical often used in the production of paper and plastics and it has been linked to cancer although the FSA says further research needs to be conducted. Previously, the FDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) found that high levels of the chemical is linked to cancer in animals and on that basis, they have advised humans to stay clear of acrylamide. In future, storing your potatoes in the press might be the way forward.