Bacteria love avocados almost as much as people do. Unlike most fruits, the avocado is low in acid. That makes it good for bacterial growth. In addition, we like to eat avocados raw, which means we don’t kill the bacteria by cooking.
Based on a 2014–2016 study, the FDA found that about 18% of avocados had Listeria monocytogenes on their skins. In small amounts, this germ isn’t dangerous for healthy adults. However, it can cause serious harm to young children, older people, and pregnant women.
- To prepare an avocado safely, you first need to wash your handscarefully.
- Then rinse the avocado’s skin thoroughly before you cut it open.Otherwise, the blade will carry the germs on the skin into the pulp.
- Throw away the skin and the pit promptly.
- To avoid bacterial growth, eat the avocado as soon as possible aftercutting and peeling.
Source: Colorado State University: Food Source Information, fsi.colostate.edu/avocados/#food-safety
