Organic Potatoes Failed Packaging.

**Gabe** · 05-11-2010, 03:42 PM

Hmmm...
Failed packaging!

**Darlene** · 05-11-2010, 03:51 PM

Plastic wrapping isn't organic?!j/k

**Gabe** · 05-11-2010, 03:56 PM

I would imagine that people in general that buy organic are environmentally sensible to the package. Not sure why this was shrink wrapped in plastic. LOL

**StaceyS** · 05-11-2010, 04:00 PM

They're shrink wrapped to cook in the microwave. I've thought this was a stupid idea, even before I saw the organic! I think they were ttrying to sell here for like $1 a piece! Right next to a 10# bag for $3.

**Greebo** · 05-11-2010, 04:00 PM

wouldn't microwaving in brown paper be more enviornmentally and taste friendly?

**Contrary Housewife** · 05-11-2010, 04:05 PM

No, not really. They are organic, pre-washed, and the plastic shrink wrap allows you to microwave cook them evenly. It's organic for the on-the-go crowd. They do microwave sweet potatoes too.

Micro Baker Potatoes | Melissa's Produce

**Grainlady** · 05-11-2010, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Greebo

wouldn't microwaving in brown paper be more enviornmentally and taste friendly?

On first blush you would think so, but brown (or any other color) paper bags shouldn't be used for "cooking" food, lining baking sheets/pans, nor for microwave use.

Paper bags are not food-grade for cooking. They may have been stored where they spray for bugs, or where "vermin" run through the warehouse they are stored in. Most are made with all kinds of recycled things, including paper that may have metal, ink, glues in them. Not to mention unsafe things, such as chemicals, that may have once stored in them. Recycled paper comes from a nasty bunch of stuff, warehoused who know where.... The metal in recycled paper can react while being microwaved and arc, which can cause a fire. When heated, can emit toxins from the contents of the paper. Food oils on paper can catch fire. So no, don't microwave ANYTHING in a brown paper bag.

Kitchen Food Safety: Kitchen Food Safety: Bags, Bottles & Beyond

I've also seen cloth cotton bags people can purchase or make for microwaving potatoes, but there can be similar problems with them. They need to be made with 100% cotton and if the fabric is a print, the dye needs to be on the outside of the bag. Use caution because the cotton fabric can also catch fire and isn't actually recommended for use in a microwave.

But if you'd care to risk it....

How to:

Potato Baking Bag: Cooking Terms: RecipeTips.com

Best Way - Baked Potato Bag Instructions | eHow.com

**monkeywrangler71** · 05-11-2010, 04:34 PM

I've never heard of wrapping a potato in anything to microwave it.

Poke it with a fork, throw it in.

**Palooka** · 05-11-2010, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I've never heard of wrapping a potato in anything to microwave it.

Poke it with a fork, throw it in.

That would be too easy.

**Nada.Leona** · 05-11-2010, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

I've never heard of wrapping a potato in anything to microwave it.

Poke it with a fork, throw it in.

Mmmmmmmm... baked potato. *LadyNada's impression of Homer's head-tilted-back-drooling face*

We eat potatoes so rarely though. And we almost always make 'em mashed. Seems silly -- and expensive -- to me to buy them individually wrapped in plastic.

**Gabe** · 05-11-2010, 07:19 PM

Why not just sell the potato without the plastic?
That's greener and more organic.
Less expensive for the producer too.

That sticker is paper on it. I'm sure it's a pain to remove too.
Then you get the adhesive for the sticker.

Nuke it up and eat. Hmmm.... ?

**zakity** · 05-11-2010, 09:55 PM

My dad used to work in a paper mill. There were rats in the bales of paper that went in the chopper thing and then "cooked" when they made it back into a paste to make it back into paper.

Also, baby birds or squirrels or bugs or whatever wildlife was in the trees went into the chipper to make paper.

**gag** I would never let my guys eat paper and I would tell them why. **puke**

**Vanilla** · 05-12-2010, 02:01 AM

I would not to use those plastic shrink wrap in microwave, since they may not be 'BPA' (don't know how to spell the full name of this chemical) free.
I tend to agree that plastic packaging is not appropiate for organic food.
On a different note, the farmer market here offers a biodegradeable plastic bag (25 cents each, size is about half of a regular Safeway plastic bag), not cheap. I bring my own shopping bags anyway.

**Paperfish** · 05-12-2010, 10:51 PM

I guess organic potatoes are EXPECTED to be microwaved? Not hashed, not smashed, what if I want to bake it on the grill with my steak? LOL How about naked organic potatos an I can wrap it when I get home? /boggle

I read an article today about the cost of going green, unless you are pretty savvy, you end up hemorraging cash $1.60 per potato?....riiiiiight! How much would potato salad cost ya?

I bought some organic green tea with a similar issue.. each tea bag was individually wrapped in a plastic wrap. Uuugh... one step forward, 100 individually wrapped steps back! (and I could go on for half an hour about those staples! Can't compost em!)

**KeithBC** · 05-12-2010, 11:56 PM

I would never put something in the microwave in plastic!

When a manufacturer does something like that, it is never for the consumer's benefit, no matter what they tell you. It is for the manufacturer's benefit. Chances are the shrink-wrap is so that they can store the spuds longer in the warehouse, or ship then farther. Yes, you can buy potatoes fresh from Outer Mongolia, only two and a half months by camel and slow boat and still as fresh as the day they were dug! (Yeah, right!)