SOURCE: Katherine Rodriguez, NJ.com
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning Americans to stop storing cut avocados in water because they could be exposed to harmful pathogens.
The warning came to light after several TikTok videos went viral showing halved avocados in water to keep them from browning.
One TikTok user in particular tested out the trend by leaving a halved avocado in a bowl full of water overnight. The next morning, the fruit retained its green color and the user said it still had a great taste.
However, while your avocados may be protected from browning, a spokesperson for the FDA told Good Morning America the practice is unsafe because it could become a breeding ground for bacteria.
“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 agency wrote in a statement to the outlet.
Wiping off the surface of the avocado or washing it with fresh water does not seem to help the cause either, experts say.
According to MarthaStewart.com, the best way to keep a sliced avocado from turning brown is to sprinkle a little lime or lemon juice onto the avocado and store it in an airtight container.