[ToFundorNot]

They use sprout inhibitors on large scale potato growing, which are effective in my area (we can keep most potatoes for over a month before there are any sprouts). If you tend to buy from farmers markets, there is a greater chance of them not using inhibitors.

Depending on where you live, they can be in transit for a long period, or you may be in an area that has natural pressures for sprouting.

Short note on sprout inhibitors: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/10/agricultur....

[Scoundreller]

oh joy: here's a list:

https://www.potatopro.com/about/sprout-inhibitors

wiki links to each one:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorpropham

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maleic_hydrazide

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethylene_as_a_plant_hormone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carvone

Chlorpropham was just banned in UK/EU. Still in use in USA. "The study also showed that peeling removed 91–98% and washing 33–47%."

[R0b0t1]

I had a relative involved with a study on pesticide removal. Unfortunately, unless you're using a wire brush, the pesticide isn't coming off your fruit.

[hanniabu]

This is so depressing, wtf are we doing

[throwawaylinux]

This is what modern, efficient, large-scale farming is all about. We use fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, to exterminate almost every living organism from the vicinity except for the crop itself.

You would almost certainly starve if you tried to eat only things that have been grown without any such chemicals. Most "organic" type of certifications do not blanket prohibit them.

[Scoundreller]

From my upper posts, it seems like 'organic' only permits ethylene gas for potatoes. As it's a simple gas, I'd have less worry about it.

I kinda thought potatoes would be.. uhhh... sacred and not need much for longer-term storage, but I guess I was wrong.

I still don't buy organic, but I like growing my own stuff, even though it's technically not organic since I'll use fertilizer...

[throwawaylinux]

> From my upper posts, it seems like 'organic' only permits ethylene gas for potatoes. As it's a simple gas, I'd have less worry about it.

There's other chemicals allowed by organic certifications by the looks http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/publishing/pdf/cis/cis1120.p.... That's just for sprout inhibitors. Pesticides, herbicides, fungicides while growing are permitted too.

> I kinda thought potatoes would be.. uhhh... sacred and not need much for longer-term storage, but I guess I was wrong.

Sacred? Possibly to some. Shelf life is a significant cost concern for most fresh foods though.

> I still don't buy organic, but I like growing my own stuff, even though it's technically not organic since I'll use fertilizer...

Organic certifications don't prohibit the use of fertilizer.

[Scoundreller]

By sacred, I meant it wouldn't need sprout inhibitors because it naturally stores well.

sure, but I'm using plain Miracle Gro

[userbinator]

Making potatoes less toxic? I don't find that depressing...