North Delta resident Debbie Petersen has had about all she can take of potatoes after a frightening experience that landed her in Delta Hospital.
Petersen figures her troubles began when she bought a bag of red potatoes to accompany the roast beef she planned to cook for her son's 14th birthday.
She started to feel sick on March 17, she says, and by the 24th she was in an ambulance en route to hospital.
Petersen, 43, said she was told by health officials the likely cause of her ailment was potato poisoning. She said she'd felt like she had the flu but unfortunately, thinking potatoes are relatively easy for an upset stomach to digest, her children kept feeding her potatoes. She says she ate two a day for a week. The result, she said, was ghastly.
"It attacked my nervous system. I couldn't see," she said. "I was so sick it was incredible. It's like the flu but 20 million times worse."
On March 22 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a health hazard alert that imported red potatoes distributed by Westfair Foods Ltd. of Calgary which were purchased between March 9 and 17 may contain glycoalkaloids and shouldn't be eaten. According to a government press release, the affected potatoes were sold at the Real Canadian Superstore, Extra Foods, Super Valu and the Lucky Dollar Store in B.C.
Westfair has since recalled the potatoes.
Fraser Health Authority area manager Robin Gear said one complaint has been received so far but couldn't confirm if it was Petersen.
According to the CFIA, glycoalkaloids are natural chemicals found in potatoes. Elevated levels of these chemicals can occur in green potatoes exposed to light, unripe potatoes, improperly stored potatoes and potatoes damaged from pre- or post-harvest mechanical handling.
Symptoms range from a burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal irritation to nervous system impairment. Excessive glycoalkaloids can also cause death.
