Potato poisoning - green tubers and sprouts

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Potato poisoning - green tubers and sprouts

Definition:

This is poisoning caused by eating green tubers and/or new sprouts of the potato plant.

Alternative Names:

Solanum tuberosum poisoning

Poisonous Ingredient:

Solanine (very toxic even in small quantities)

Where Found:

The toxin is found throughout the plant but especially in green potatoes and in the new sprouts. Never eat potatoes that are spoiled or green below the skin. Always throw away the sprouts.

Potatoes that are not green and have had any sprouts removed are safe to eat.

Review Date: 3/21/2006
Reviewed By: Eric Perez, MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke's-RooseveltHospital Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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