18 May 2023 , 16:43
807
0
With food prices skyrocketing and people looking for more ways to save money on their food shopping, it's no wonder that hacks to keep food fresh for longer have been going viral lately.
But one specific "hack" that claims to keep avocados fresher for longer has been slammed by experts - as it could actually cause diarrhoea because of the bacteria it can create.
The storage trick - which has been going viral on TikTok and has been hailed as "genius" by some - encourages people to submerge their avocados in water to keep them from going brown before you've had a chance to use them.
However, the method can actually create the perfect location for dangerous bacteria to thrive, meaning you could make yourself sick if you decide to eat the water-soaked avocado.
Never store your avocados in water (stock photo) (Getty Images)Those in favour of the hack claim that it slows down the oxidisation process and therefore stops the fruit from getting too ripe too soon, and while that might be true, it also creates a breeding ground for pathogens such as listeria and salmonella that can be found on the surface of the avocado.
Make-up artist's eyeshadow trick to get 'Charlotte Tilbury' look for less money
Scott Evans, of Pink Storage Cardiff, told the Daily Mail: "When we became aware of this trend we saw that people were using this trick and that it was working for them. Submerging the avocado in water slows down the oxidisation process which causes your avocado to overripen.
"While it's clear the hack does keep your avocados fresher for longer, you shouldn't be using this social media hack as it is dangerous. When you submerge your avocados in the water you are creating an environment that allows human pathogens such as listeria and salmonella to thrive."
The storage expert's standpoint was also backed up by dietician Dr Duane Mellor at Birmingham's Aston University, who said that while the bacteria "harmlessly exists" on the skin of an avocado, you can increase the risk of picking them up when you eat the fruit after it has been stored in water.
Salmonella is a common cause of food poisoning, which the NHS states can give you nasty symptoms including vomiting, a high temperature, stomach cramps, and diarrhoea.
Listeria, however, can cause a rarer infection known as listeriosis, which causes similar symptoms as food poisoning, as well as aches and pains and chills.
According to the NHS, listeriosis is mainly a problem with chilled, ready-to-eat foods such as cooked meats, smoked fish, pate, pre-prepared sandwiches, some pre-prepared fruit, and blue cheese.
However, the website states: "These foods do not always cause listeriosis. If you have eaten them recently, you do not need to do anything unless you get symptoms of the infection."
In the case of avocados, experts say the best way to keep them fresh for longer without the risk of spreading bacteria is to wrap them in cling film or to keep the pit inside the fruit.