HJL,
Why peel potatoes [1]? Here might be a helpful insight… In addition to aesthetics, the choice to peel potatoes may be related to Solanine toxin.
Quora: Why Do People Peel Potatoes? [2]
Also a second link to the reference on Solanine toxin [3].
Here are also additional helpful links on Botulism… These provide informative reading on the subject important to the prevention of this terrible illness.
Mayo Clinic: Botulism Basics and Prevention [4]
CDC and the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases: Botulism [5]
FoodSafety: Botulism [6]
– T.A.