Warning about TikTok avocado storage ‘hack’ that could cause diarrhea

With the cost of living crisis tightening our wallets, many of us are looking to preserve food to save money.

But a special ‘hack’ to keep avocados fresher longer could cause diarrhea, experts warn.

The TikTok trend — dubbed “awesome” in some corners — is encouraging people to dunk their avocados in water.

Proponents claim this will slow it down slows down the oxidation process and effectively prevents the millennial’s favorite fruit from ripening too early.

Hack suggests storing avocados in water to keep them fresh longer, as pictured at right. However, experts say it can cause dangerous bacteria to grow. Storing avocados in cling wrap in the fridge or simply leaving the pit in can also help keep them fresh

But the storage method not only delays browning, it also creates the perfect spot 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 of which can make sufferers seriously ill can cause diarrhea.

PSC’s Scott Evans said: “Once we caught this trend, we saw that people were using this trick and it worked for them.

“Submerging the avocado in water slows down the oxidation process that causes your avocado to overripe.

“While it is clear that the hack will keep your avocados fresher for longer, you should not use this social media hack as it is dangerous.”

He added, “By submerging your avocados in the water, you create an environment where human pathogens like listeria and salmonella can thrive.”

Registered nutritionist Dr. Duane Mellor of Aston University in Birmingham is also not encouraging people to follow this trend.

He said, “Storage in water probably only increases the risk of these bacteria, which can be harmlessly present on the fruit’s skin.”

Listeriosis is a serious condition caused by eating foods that contain Listeria bacteria.

It poses the greatest threat to babies, pregnant women, those over 65, and anyone with a compromised immune system.

The bacteria is usually a problem with refrigerated and ready-to-eat foods, the NHS says.

Nutritionist Toby King warned that washing your skin before submerging it in water will not prevent the bacteria from spreading.

He said: “Some social media users believe they can disinfect the skin from these harmful pathogens.

“But Listeria can penetrate the flesh of the avocado during storage.

“Disinfecting the skin would not help in this case.”

If you want your avocados to last longer, better wrap them in cling film, leave the pit in the fruit, or store them with chopped onions, experts say.

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk