We keep milk, fish, meat, vegetables and many other foods in the fridge. But there has long been confusion about potatoes: should they go in the fridge, or is it better to keep them out? Experts once advised against refrigerating potatoes, but new research has changed that view.

The Food Standards Agency's (FSA) earlier guidance said potatoes should be kept in a cool, dry place. One of the main reasons was the risk of acrylamide forming.

Potatoes naturally contain some sugars. Storing them at very low temperatures can change the form of these sugars, and when such potatoes are later fried, roasted or baked above 120 degrees Celsius, acrylamide can form. The health risks of this chemical have been studied for a long time.

Later, after reviewing new research, the FSA changed its guidance. It says there is no evidence that keeping potatoes in a home fridge significantly increases the risk of acrylamide compared with storing them in an ordinary cool, dark place.

Under the new guidance, potatoes can be kept in the fridge, or somewhere in the home that is cool, dry and dark. You can choose either method depending on your needs and the storage space you have.

To keep potatoes good for longer and reduce food waste, you can store them in the fridge. Before storing, make sure they are not wet and do not keep rotten potatoes with the others.

For raw potatoes, a fridge and a freezer are not the same thing. But boiled, parboiled or cooked potatoes can be stored in the freezer, and leftover cooked potatoes can also be frozen for later use.

Boiled or parboiled potatoes from the freezer can be fried or roasted straight away, or put in the oven with a little oil. Make sure they are heated right through before eating.

The Bengali report drew on Good Housekeeping.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.