Q: Is it safe to eat unusual looking foods, like green potato chips, green grains in brown rice, and growths inside peppers?
A: Judith C. Thalheimer, RD, LDN, executive editor of Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, answers: “The short answer to all three is yes!
“The sun takes credit for occasionally green potatoes/potato chips. Potato tubers that are exposed to light, either in the field or after harvest, will naturally turn green as a result of chlorophyll, which is the harmless pigment found in all green plants. While the green color itself is harmless, it can sometimes be a sign of higher levels of a natural compound called solanine. Solanine is produced by the potato in response to exposure to light and can taste bitter. Eating large amounts of solanine can cause stomach upset, but a green chip here and there is unlikely to pose any risk.
“If you’ve ever noticed a few green grains in your brown rice, there’s no need to worry. The green color indicates the grains that haven’t fully matured. It is a completely natural occurrence and doesn’t affect the safety or quality of the rice. Green rice cooks the same as brown rice and may taste sweeter. It’s also nearly identical nutritionally to more mature brown grains, so you’re still getting all the benefits of whole-grain goodness.
“Growths inside of peppers, which may look irregular or like carbon copies of the larger pepper, reflect the formation of fruits without outside fertilization. There is little research to explain why this happens, but it is thought to be genetic. The growths inside of peppers are safe to eat; in fact, some consider it getting two for one!
“Food thrown away for cosmetic reasons is a major contributor to food waste in the U.S. As with these examples, food anomalies tend to be harmless. (Rot, mold, surface scum, or an odd smell, on the other hand, are reasons to send a food to the compost bin or trash can.) Enjoy the natural variety that comes with whole foods!”
