Are the unaffected parts of blighted tomatoes and potatoes safe to eat?
Yes the unaffected parts probably are safe to eat. Parts with symptoms likely do not pose a health risk when consumed either, but they do not look appetizing and will have an off flavor. However, no published scientific study on this specific issue was found to confirm this conclusion, therefore consumers need to make their own decision on food safety. The conclusion that unaffected tissue is safe to consume is based on several points. This pathogen does not produce a toxin that can make people sick, as a few plant pathogens can do. Plant pathogens cannot infect people. No food safety issues have been found with other diseases that affect tomato fruit or potato tubers. Late blight appears to be like other more common diseases, e.g. anthracnose on tomato fruit and pink rot of potato (which incidentally is caused by/ Phytophthora erythroseptica/, a pathogen related to that causing late blight), in that these do not appear to affect plant tissue beyond the area of infection. Many home gar
