FDA Says Viral Avocado Kitchen Tip Is Not Recommendable and a Possible Health Risk
With how quick content goes viral on social media, tips and tricks can easily reach people worldwide. Nowadays, social media sites are the best platform to utilize for content you want to go viral. Almost everyone has an account, as it is a great place to learn, socialize, and be entertained. People can encounter content from a wide variety of topics. Nevertheless, people still need to be careful of the trends to follow. Content must be consumed moderately — it’s best to do a sufficient amount of research before following viral life hacks.
The life hacks people see on social media, especially in terms of health, should be scientifically backed up. People have to look out for possible risk factors. These days, an avocado kitchen tip is trending on social media sites. The FDA is against the avocado storage method shared by influencers, and a lot of people are testifying about its effects. According to the Food and Drug Administration, the avocado tip may keep the fruit from going bad, but it has underlying effects such as contamination and foodborne illness.
As told by social media influencers, people can keep avocados from being rotten by submerging unripe or ready-to-eat avocados in a container with water. Storing the container inside the refrigerator will make your avocado delicious and good for over a month. The avocado kitchen tip has helped people who incorporate the fruit into their daily diet — for a healthy supply of avocado and to save money.
A meal containing an avocado might give you your daily dose of high fiber, but this kitchen hack has the risk of salmonella poisoning or listeriosis.
The FDA had to release statements opposed to the social media posts that proved the wondrous results of the tip. In an interview with Fox News, an FDA spokesperson stated, “The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens – for example, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., etc. – that may be residing on the avocado surface, may potentially multiply during the storage when submerged in water.”
A study was also conducted by the FDA in 2016. The result of the study showed that listeria bacteria on avocado skin can possibly infiltrate and internalize into the pulp of the avocado when engulfed in refrigerated gulf tanks for a couple of weeks. “In this case, even surface disinfecting the avocado skin prior to slicing would not be able to remove the contamination,” says the agency. Listeria and salmonella can cause food poisoning that might lead to death, and symptoms may include fever, headaches, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
The California Avocado Commission provided a better hack than following the viral trend. It’s best to keep ripened fruits in the refrigerator for two to three days to keep them fresh. Avocados will last longer inside the fridge if you sprinkle the halves and slices with lemon juice, lime juice, or white vinegar. Moreover, not yet ready-to-eat avocados can be stored in a paper bag at room temperature. For better results, store the avocado with an apple or kiwi.
It’s always better to stay safe than sorry. Ensure that the life hacks you see on the internet have no equivalent health risk in the long run before attempting them. Do research before trying methods that might make life easier. Consume content moderately and follow trends based on your best judgement.
