TikTok has become the premier platform for what’s trending—and that extends far beyond the latest dance choreography. Nowadays, health-related tips and tricks make the rounds on the video-sharing app, too, like the latest hack for keeping avocados fresh for longer. There’s just one problem—it may not be safe for our health. The new viral TikTok trend in question is supposedly a hack for keeping avocados from ripening so fast. That way, they stay green longer and you can extend the shelf life of your avocados instead of having to compost them in a day or two.
What’s the avocado TikTok hack?
Here’s how it works: TikTokkers place their avocados in a bowl of water inside the refrigerator. As a result, their avocados stay fresh for weeks on end. So, yes—it really does seem to work! But it seems the risks of this trend may far outweigh the benefits. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is strongly advising against this hack due to the inherent health risks that storing produce in water poses. Parade.com consulted Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, registered dietician and food and nutrition blogger. We wanted to know: Is this avocado trend safe? And if not, what are the risks? “The FDA warns against using this hack due to the risk of listeriosis, or a foodborne infection caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes,” McMordie tells Parade.com. “In 2018, the FDA released a report that among avocados tested, 17.73 percent were positive for listeria on the skin.”
Is the avocado TikTok trend safe?
Typically, washing an avocado thoroughly with water before cutting it will reduce the risk of transferring bacteria. So, it’s not that water is a bad thing. But when it comes to full-on submerging your produce in water, well, that’s when bacteria can grow. “The concern with this hack is that submerging avocados in water allows for the water to seep into the fruit, as found by a study in 2016,” McMordie explains. “If any single avocado submerged in the water has listeria present on the skin, the water will allow the bacteria to grow and potentially infiltrate the other avocados, including the portion that you eat.” With listeria present, anyone who consumes the produce with listeria is then susceptible to developing listeriosis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), listeriosis occurs as a result of eating contaminated food. Symptoms may include headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance, convulsions, muscle aches, fatigue, fever and other flu-like symptoms. “Listeriosis is especially dangerous during pregnancy, as it can cause severe complications, including stillbirth or miscarriage,” McMordie adds. “That’s why it’s recommended pregnant women not consume foods with a high risk for listeria contamination, such as cold deli meat.” According to the CDC, listeria can also be serious in newborns, older adults and anyone who is immune-compromised.
What’s a better way to keep avocados fresh for longer?
Due to the health concerns associated with storing produce in a bowl of water, it’s safe to say that for many people—especially pregnant women and those who have weakened immune systems—this TikTok trend is simply not worth the risk. Alternatively, you can look to store your avocados in different ways that will still keep them fresh longer. “To extend the freshness of avocados, I recommend storing them in the refrigerator, or even in the freezer if they will be used for smoothies,” McMordie says. “And of course, I suggest only buying what you are realistically likely to eat within a few days in order to prevent food waste.” The colder temperatures of refrigeration actually slow down the avocado’s natural ripening process, so this should delay them from ripening for two to three days. If you’re having the opposite problem and instead want your avocado to ripen faster, try leaving it out on the countertop. Without the cold temps of the fridge, it will likely ripen within four days. Next up, all the best TikTok recipes that are actually good.
Sources
Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, LD, registered dietician and food and nutrition blogger
