The FDA is warning the public about a viral TikTok hack that claims storing avocado in water will keep it from turning brown.
I don’t normally tweet FB posts but this one…IS THIS TRUE?? And If so why did no one tell anyone til now?? I need to test this pic.twitter.com/2FVMA6c0US
— Amina Akhtar (@Drrramina) February 22, 2022
An FDA official told Good Morning America that storing in water can be unsafe due to bacterial contamination.
“The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens (i.e. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., etc.) that may be residing on the avocado surface may potentially multiply during the storage when submerged in water,” the official told GMA.
“In addition, research performed by FDA scientists has shown that Listeria monocytogenes has the potential to infiltrate and internalize into the pulp of avocados when submerged in refrigerated dump tanks within 15 days during refrigerated storage,” they added. “In this case, even surface disinfecting the avocado skin prior to slicing would not be able to remove the contamination.”
Doctors on TikTok have also weighed in saying the correct way to store an avocado is in a dry environment on the counter or in the refrigerator.
@dr.erincarter Don’t do this! #avocadohack #foodsafety #healthinformation #dontdothis #avocados #foodstorage #reducefoodwaste ♬ original sound – Dr. Erin Carter
