You've seen it before.
You open a fresh bag of chips, reach in, and spot one that looks a little... off.
It's got a green tint. Slightly different from the rest, but not enough to raise alarm for most people.
So what exactly is it? And is it safe to eat?
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Why some chips turn green
Potatoes grow underground, away from sunlight.
But if they’re exposed to light after harvesting – during storage or transport – they begin to produce chlorophyll.
That’s the natural compound that turns plants green and helps them absorb sunlight.
So yes, the green color in your chip comes from the same process that turns leaves green.
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On its own, chlorophyll isn’t harmful. But what usually comes with it is the real reason experts raise their eyebrows.
It’s not the color that’s the problem
When potatoes are exposed to light and turn green, they may also produce a chemical called solanine.
Solanine is a natural toxin that protects the plant from pests.
In small amounts, it doesn’t do much harm. But in high doses, solanine can cause nausea, vomiting and, in extreme cases, liver damage.
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Still, don’t panic just yet.
So how many green chips is too many?
Experts agree that it takes quite a lot of solanine to have a real impact on your health.
You’d have to eat the equivalent of a large, fully green potato to experience serious effects.
So if you accidentally eat a green chip or two, you’re likely fine. But if you spot a bunch of green ones in your bag, it might be wise to pick them out.
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It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to food.
This article is based on information Pensionist.dk.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.