If One Potato Has Mold, Are They All Bad? Resolved

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Finding moldy potatoes in your pantry can be quite a shock. They look nasty, and mold on potatoes can easily spread to other foods, potentially causing serious health issues if consumed.

I remember discovering a moldy potato in my pantry and wondering if its companions were compromised, too.

So if one potato has mold, are they all bad? Keep reading to find out.

Are Potatoes All Bad If One Has Mold?

If one potato [1] has mold, it does not necessarily mean that the rest of the potatoes in the bag are bad. The mold on one potato can be isolated to that one potato and may not have spread to the others. 

“In the world of spuds, mold can be a stealthy traveler. A single culprit might signal a potential domino effect, urging us to separate the tainted from the untouched to preserve the goodness of our potato collection.”

– Eat Pallet Restaurant & Food Advice

To determine the safety of the rest of the potatoes, you should inspect each one for signs of mold or soft spots. If you find that all potatoes have mold, they should all be discarded. 

If some potatoes in the bag appear to be good, then they can still be consumed. However, it is important to cook them properly to ensure they are safe to eat. 

Make sure to scrub the potatoes thoroughly before cooking and discard any that have soft spots or are discolored.

Additionally, cook the potatoes until they are well done, and avoid storing any cooked potatoes for more than four days. 

Read:

• If One Potato Is Rotten, Are They All Bad?
• How To Tell If Shredded Cheese Is Bad?
• How To Tell If Queso Fresco Is Bad?

What Causes Mold In Potatoes?

Mold in potatoes is caused by a combination of warm temperatures and high humidity, which encourages the growth of spores from fungi. 

This can be exacerbated by improper storage of potatoes, such as storing them in a damp area, not allowing them to dry properly after harvesting, or not keeping them cool enough. 

These conditions can create a hospitable environment for mold growth on potatoes.

How To Prevent Molds

The best way to prevent molds from growing in potatoes is to store them in a cool, dry place. Potatoes should be stored in a dark, well-ventilated area, as exposure to light can cause them to turn green and develop a bitter taste. 

Potatoes should be stored in a container that is not airtight, as this can cause them to become too moist and encourage mold growth. 

Additionally, potatoes should be checked regularly for any signs of spoilage, such as discoloration or soft spots, and discarded if they show any signs of mold growth. 

“My wife is a terrific Southern cook. My favorite of all the great things she cooks is ‘trash potatoes.’ That’s mashed potatoes with sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, and horseradish. It’s a total gut bomb. “

– Mike Vogel, American Actor

It is important to keep potatoes away from other fruits and vegetables, as these can produce ethylene that can cause potatoes to spoil faster.

Potatoes should also be kept away from strong odors, such as onions and garlic, as these can absorb the smell and become unappetizing. 

Potatoes should be stored in a single layer and not layered on each other, as this can cause them to become too moist and encourage mold growth [2]. 

Potatoes should be stored in a cool place, as warm temperatures can cause them to sprout and become unappetizing.

Tips On How To Store Your Potatoes

1. Keep potatoes in a cool, dry, dark place with plenty of ventilation. 
2. Store potatoes in a paper bag or a perforated plastic bag. This will help them breathe and keep them from going bad too quickly. 
3. Avoid storing potatoes near onions, as they can spoil each other faster. 
4. Check potatoes periodically for signs of spoilage, such as soft spots, mold, or a strong smell. 
5. Don’t store potatoes in the refrigerator—the cold temperature will cause them to become sweet and spoil faster. 
6. Don’t store potatoes in direct sunlight, as this can cause them to turn green and become toxic. 
7. If you have a lot of potatoes, sort them by size and store the smaller ones first, as they tend to spoil faster.

FAQs

Key Takeaways

It is important to inspect all potatoes for mold before consuming them. If one potato has mold, the others may not have been affected, but you should still inspect them.  

The potatoes should not be consumed and disposed of if mold is found. Additionally, it is important to ensure that potatoes are stored in a cool, dry place to avoid mold growth.

References:

1. https://www.britannica.com/plant/potato
2. https://www.cdc.gov/mold/faqs.htm