Potatoes have been implicated in outbreaks of Salmonella and botulism, and E. coli. One of the most recent potato-related recall occurred in 2016 due to a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak in potato salad.
Clostridium botulinum spores can survive the baking process and the foil wrap seals the potato preventing oxygen from being present. In this environment, and at the right temperature, spores on the potato can germinate and grow - producing their deadly toxin.
Even the familiar potato can be a cause of food poisoning. Recently, there have been many cases of food poisoning caused by potatoes grown by school children as a part of their classes.
The health risks of eating spoiled potatoes
Cooked potatoes carry a high risk of food poisoning. After a few days, they may begin to harbor pathogens and bacteria that could result in illnesses, such as salmonella, listeria, botulism, and staphylococcal food poisoning.
Boiling does kill any bacteria active at the time, including E. coli and salmonella. But a number of survivalist species of bacteria are able to form inactive seedlike spores. These dormant spores are commonly found in farmland soils, in dust, on animals and field-grown vegetables and grains.
If a potato has become soft or mushy, you should throw it out. Though it's normal for potatoes to smell earthy or nutty, a musty or moldy odor is a hallmark of spoilage. Sometimes, a potato might have a blemish or bad spot on the inside that you can't see from the outside.
Boiling potatoes whole in their skins minimizes the amount of vitamin C that is lost. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, boiling unpeeled potatoes results in losses of up to 30 percent of vitamin C, but boiling peeled potatoes can cause losses of up to 40 percent.
Raw fruits and vegetables can also become contaminated with E. coli while in the field, through improperly composted manure, contaminated water, wildlife and contaminated harvesters.
Raw potatoes contain solanine and lectins, two compounds that can cause gastric distress and potentially make you sick. Additionally, raw potatoes contain resistant starch, which is difficult to digest, and their overall taste and texture is nothing like the potatoes you know and love. When in doubt, cook that potato.
You want to be able to eat your potato without worrying if you are going to get food poisoning or botulism. Here's how you can ensure that your baked potatoes are safe to eat. DON'T let your potato sit out in the open at room temperature for over four hours regardless of whether or not it is wrapped in aluminum foil.
NO! This is the wrong way to do it and is not food safe. Cooked starch foods like potatoes can grow germs if not kept either refrigerated and cold or hot over 140º F.
TCS refresher
TCS foods, like cooked potatoes, are prone to bacteria growth because they are moist, contain protein and have a neutral or slightly acidic pH. This is ideal for the growth of microorganisms and production of toxins.
Contaminants. Finally, because raw potatoes have not been cooked, they may contain bacteria and other contaminants that could lead to foodborne illness and infection. Any time you're eating raw foods, it's important to wash them thoroughly to remove as many contaminants as possible.
Though attempting to digest raw starches isn't going to cause you any lasting bodily harm, the raw potato will pass through the digestive tract with very little breakdown, likely leading to an increase in unpleasant cramping, bloating, and gas production.
The Food and Drug Administration advises you wash potatoes before you eat them. Potatoes grow in the ground, and carry not only dirt but also bacteria to the grocery store and later, your table. Pesticides also remain on potato skin; even organic potatoes carry some degree of contaminants.
Sad news for spud lovers: reheating leftover potatoes could make you ill. As the Independent reported, the issue with reheating potatoes isn't actually the process of warming them in the microwave or oven. If cooked potatoes are left to cool at room temperature for too long, the bacteria that causes botulism may form.
It is transmitted to humans primarily through consumption of contaminated foods, such as raw or undercooked ground meat products, raw milk, and contaminated raw vegetables and sprouts.
There are no antibiotics for most E. coli infections. If you have contracted traveler's diarrhea, your doctor may recommend that you do take anti-diarrhea medications for a short period or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol). In some instances, doctors treat the infection with antibiotics.
In a word, no. According to James Rogers, Ph. D., director of Food Safety and Research at Consumer Reports, if E. coli (or any other type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning) is present in your produce, washing it won't remove all of those organisms.
When do you wash potatoes before cooking? It's best to wash potatoes just before you use them, says the Idaho Potato Commission. Waiting to clean your potatoes is essential because they can collect bacteria after washing, says Livestrong. Leaving washed potatoes out provides ample opportunities to get them dirty again.
“Cooking potatoes in unseasoned water prevents the starch from cooking thoroughly and creates a bland dense finished product. I would say not salting the water is like gifting a pair of shoes without laces.
A baked potato is more nutrient-dense, providing 6 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. It has about 25 percent more magnesium as a boiled potato. It also contains 40 percent more phosphorus and potassium, as well as four times the amount of folate in a boiled potato.
The short answer is yes. Potatoes that have sprouted are still OK to eat, but only once you've removed the sprouts. Here's a guide on how to remove them, how to properly store potatoes and when it's not alright to eat them.