Warning over TikTok avocado storage ‘hack’ that could give you diarrhoea
Warning about TikTok avocado storage ‘hack’ that could give you diarrhea
- TikTok hack sees people making avocados submerged in water last week
- But experts warn that a storage hack could give you fever, muscle aches and diarrhea
With the cost of living crisis tightening our wallets, many of us are trying to make food last longer to save money.
But one specific “hack” to keep avocados fresher for longer could cause diarrhea, experts warn.
The TikTok trend – described in some corners as “genius” – encourages people to submerge their avocados in water.
Proponents argue that this slows it down slowing down the oxidation process, effectively stopping the millennial’s favorite fruit from ripening too early.
Hack suggests that people store avocado in water to keep it fresh longer, as pictured at right. But experts say this allows dangerous bacteria to grow. Storing avocados in the refrigerator with cling film or simply keeping the pit inside can also help keep them fresh
But in addition to delaying browning, the storage method actually creates the perfect location for dangerous bacteria to thrive.
Pathogens such as listeria and salmonella can be found on the surface of the fruit, according to Pink Storage Cardiff.
Both, which can make patients seriously ill, can cause diarrhea.
PSC’s Scott Evans said: ‘When we became aware of this trend, we saw people using this trick and it worked for them.
“Soaking the avocado in water slows down the oxidation process that causes your avocado to overripe.”
“While it’s clear that the hack will keep your avocados fresher for longer, you shouldn’t use this social media hack because it’s dangerous.”
He added, “When you submerge your avocados in the water, you create an environment for human pathogens like listeria and salmonella to thrive.”
Registered dietitian Dr Duane Mellor, at Aston University in Birmingham, is also not encouraging people to follow this trend.
He said: “Storing them in water probably just increases the risk of these bacteria, which may be harmless on the skin of the fruit.”
Listeriosis is a serious condition caused by eating foods containing the listeria bacteria.
It poses the greatest threat to infants, pregnant women, the over-65s, and anyone with a weakened immune system.
The bacteria is usually a problem with refrigerated and ready-to-eat foods, according to the NHS.
Nutritionist Toby King warned that washing the skin before putting it in water won’t prevent the bacteria from spreading either.
He said: ‘Some social media users believe they can disinfect the skin from these harmful pathogens.
‘But listeria can penetrate the pulp of the avocado during storage.
“Disinfecting the skin wouldn’t help in this case.”
If you want to keep your avocados longer, wrap them in cling film, leave the pit in the fruit, or store them with sliced onions, experts say.