Quick Take
A social media post claims that storing potatoes and onions together can kill a child. Our fact check concludes that this is false.
The Claim
According to an Instagram post, keeping potatoes (aloo) and onions (pyaaj) together can be extremely harmful and even kill a child. The video shows a child having a seizure and claims the child died because these vegetables were stored together. It says this is not a rumour but a scientific fact. The post claims onions release a chemical that makes potatoes sprout early, leading to the formation of toxic substances called solanine and chaconine. It warns that these can make the entire family sick, causing symptoms like stomach pain, vomiting, nausea, weakness, diarrhoea, fever, headache, breathlessness, coma, or even death. The video also claims that this is often the hidden reason behind sudden deaths in children.
Fact Check
Can onions really make potatoes toxic?
No, onions don’t make potatoes toxic. It’s true that storing onions and potatoes together can lead to faster spoilage, but not because onions release any toxic chemical. Both vegetables release moisture and gases that encourage each other to sprout or rot more quickly. However, this is about food quality and shelf life—not toxicity.
The claim that onions trigger a chemical reaction that makes potatoes harmful is untrue. No research supports this.
Do sprouted potatoes contain harmful substances?
Yes, but only if eaten in large amounts or when clearly spoiled. Sprouted potatoes can contain natural chemicals called glycoalkaloids—mainly solanine and chaconine. These are part of the plant’s defence system. In high amounts, they can cause mild poisoning. Symptoms may include stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhoea. But the risk of serious illness or death from eating a small amount at home is extremely low.
In 2022, a case report from Saudi Arabia described an 11-year-old boy who became sick after eating raw, sprouted potatoes. He had stomach pain, vomiting, and later developed slow heart rate and breathing issues. Doctors suspected solanine poisoning. The boy was treated in hospital and made a full recovery. The report did not mention onions or say that storing onions with potatoes caused the problem. It also said that solanine poisoning is rare and usually happens only when a large amount is eaten.
Shruti K Bhardwaj, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Zydus Hospital, Ahmedabad, explains, “Yes, sprouted or green potatoes can develop natural compounds called glycoalkaloids, mainly solanine, which are the plant’s way of defending itself. These chemicals are found in higher amounts when potatoes are exposed to light, stored for too long, or begin to sprout. If eaten in large quantities, they can irritate the stomach and, in rare cases, cause more serious symptoms. But the key thing to remember is this: the average person isn’t likely to get sick from eating one or two sprouted potatoes by mistake. Just look out for green skin or deep sprouts, and if in doubt, throw them out. It’s more about food quality and taste than a serious health hazard in everyday situations.”
If a potato has green patches or deep sprouts, it’s safest to throw it away. But keeping it near onions won’t make it toxic.
Can solanine poisoning kill a child?
Extremely unlikely, especially from household vegetables. Severe solanine poisoning is very rare. For it to become deadly, a child would need to eat a large quantity of highly spoiled or green potatoes. The idea that one or two sprouted potatoes—caused by storing them near onions—could kill a child is scientifically baseless. The symptoms shown in the video, like seizures or coma, are not typical of common food spoilage.
Similarly, there are claims that wheat roti can cause skin allergies, sinus problems, weight gain, and migraines. However, this is misleading too.
Is the video showing a real cause-effect situation?
No, the video is misleading with unrelated visuals. The video shows a child having a seizure and connects it to storing onions and potatoes together. However, seizures in children can be due to many medical conditions, like epilepsy, high fever, or infections. There is no evidence that food spoilage which arises due to co-storage of vegetables can lead to such a reaction. The video uses fear tactics and emotional manipulation without any scientific backing.
Is there any merit to keeping onions and potatoes apart?
Yes, but only to reduce spoilage—not for safety reasons. Onions and potatoes should ideally be stored separately. Onions prefer dry, ventilated conditions. Potatoes last longer in cool, dark places. Storing them together may make them spoil faster, but it won’t create harmful toxins. It’s more about reducing food waste, not preventing illness.
Dr Swati Dave, PhD in Food and Nutrition, states, “Yes, there’s good reason to store onions and potatoes separately. Onions naturally release ethylene gas, which can speed up sprouting and spoilage in potatoes. At the same time, potatoes release moisture, creating a damp environment that can cause onions to soften and develop mould. When kept together, this exchange makes both spoil faster. To help them last longer, store onions and potatoes in separate, cool, dry, and well-ventilated spots.”
THIP Media Take
The claim that storing potatoes and onions together can kill a child is false. There is no scientific evidence to support it. While it’s true that these vegetables should be stored separately for better shelf life, they do not release toxic chemicals that can kill. The post uses scary visuals and unverified science to spread fear. Always check facts before believing or sharing health claims online.
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