A refrigerator is one of the best things to have in a home as it allows you to keep your foodstuff fresh for a longer period of time. It can decrease spoilage on many different kinds of foods, but potatoes are one of the few vegetables you should stop keeping in the chillier.
A recent study says potatoes are supposed to be left unwashed and kept at room temperature. Keeping them in the refrigerator will have them lose starch and turn into sugar.
More importantly, when you bake or fry the potatoes at temperatures above 250ºF, those sugars combine with the amino acid asparagine and produce a chemical called acrylamide. If you bake or fry them, avoid excessive browning to reduce acrylamide levels.
According to a US based Cancer Institute, acrylamide is a carcinogen and has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. It is used in the production of plastics, paper, and dyes as well as to treat sewage, waste water and drinking water.
Studies in humans haven’t demonstrated consistent evidence that exposure to acrylamide through diet raises the risk, but there have been mixed results about kidney, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. Hence, storing potatoes in a cool, dry place like the pantry to ensure that you and your family are protected.
Ms Kalinga