How do you know when a red-skinned potato has gone bad?

Answer 1

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety discipline will help prevent food borne illness.

Some common traits of bad potatoes are discoloration and growths through the skin. The potatoes will begin to get soft and wither. Potatoes are still alive when picked, so if potatoes are kept too long in a humid climate they will eventually begin to form new white sprouts. These can be cut off and the potato still used, but the quality of the potato is diminished and you're better off planting the new sprout!

They can also develop green spots is they are exposed to direct light for an extended amount of time, in which case the green spot may be cut off and the rest of the potato may be used.

If the potatoes get wet at all they can also grow mold, in which case they must be thrown out. So, do not wash them prior to storage.

For mashed potatoes, they are starting to get old when the liquid begins to separate from the solid. At first the liquid is fairly clear and can be mixed back in and used, but then the liquid will form a white haze and the potatoes will smell sour - at which point you need to toss the mashed potatoes.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled potatoes, so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your potatoes prior to the eat by date.

Answer 2

Sometimes they get black spots. Often they get soft, and they can even develop noticable mold.

If they are firm and don't have any big spots that look like rot, they might still be good. Potatoes usually last quite a while.

when mold is on it

The most important thing to look for on potatoes is the colour. If potatoes are exposed to light the skin will turn green; this makes them poisonous- you must not eat them.
To avoid this, always store potatoes in the dark.

Answer 3

Usually potatoes will soften when they are no longer good for consumption. There may even be areas of rotting as well as growths from the potato.

Answer 4

The potato will be very brused, soggy, and dark colored

Answer 5

A potato is bad when it has shriveled up or is soft. When it is really bad, it will be mushy.

Answer 6

Potatoes shouldn't be kept in the refrigerator. If it's a baked potato the skin will look shriveled after a few days. I don't eat them if they don't look good.

Answer 7

It gets really squishy and some liquid might leak out.

Answer 8

Smell it. Odor would be key. If it smells the least bit unpleasant, it has begun to spoil (rot). Sweetpotatoes should be firm and should smell very pleasant.

Answer 9

well it can go soggy and brown!....