Avocado Recall: Who’s Responsible?
“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds
in the Spring who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.”
– B. C. Forbes
Melissa Benitez for PlantOGram
The Avocado: Used to make fresh guacamole for that crispy tortilla chip and a necessity for the beloved Avocado Toast. This fruit seems to be thriving for its excellent taste and creamy texture but is it time to turn away from such an adored produce?
On March 23 Henry Avocado, a grower and distributor recalled whole avocados from six states (California, Arizona, Florida, Wisconsin, North Carolina, and New Hampshire) because of a listeria concern. Many people are worried and want answers. What caused this outbreak? Why is this a problem? The California packaging facility was found positive for Listeria Monocytogenes and while not found on the avocados, the company decided to play it safe and recalled the fruit.
Listeria (Listeria Monocytogenes) is an infection that can be very harmful to pregnant women and people with weak immune systems causing fever, muscle aches, as well as a stiff neck and convulsions if spread to the nervous system.
A simple way to make sure bacteria stays away from our avocados is to spray them but that’s the responsibility of the farmers, isn’t it? Well, what about the consumer? What should we do? Just enjoy the fruit? No. Like it's their responsibility to spray and care for the fruit it's ours to wash it properly. You should run the fruit under hot enough water to kill any bacteria but if you still don’t trust the produce after cleaning it yourself then why not grow one yourself?
You can purchase already grown avocado trees which will continue to grow but to do that you need to take care of it properly. Watering it, using the right soil, taking care of those unwelcome visitors are responsibilities all green thumbs have but we promise it’s not impossible or hard, it just requires effort and attention.
Growing an Avocado Tree
Are we crazy for suggesting this? Growing a tree? Really? You are giving us this solution? Well, no. The solution we are giving is to wash the fruit you buy but this is another alternative.
We said many of these tips when we were on Fox and Friends but here we will focus on what specifically avocado trees need.
When to Plant?
As a summer fruit it’s a perfect time to plant your avocado tree (unless you live in a colder climate)! Avocado trees can be planted inside your home or outdoors just make sure the temperature is right.
If it becomes less than 45° Fahrenheit outside make sure to bring the plant in. This fruit isn’t a fan of the cold.
Sun or Shade?
Full Sun. Maximum sunlight. Avocados love the sun! The more the better!
What Kind of Soil?
Choosing the right soil is very important. Every plant needs a specific kind or one with certain qualities. For avocados, soil that can drain easily and have higher nitrogen relatives to phosphorus and potassium are the best. Humus fertilizer is a good choice.
How much water?
When it comes to avocados you have to make sure the soil is always moist but not soaked. Avocados need not too much or too little water. It may be a slightly difficult to figure out if it’s watered properly. You can check by simply taking soil a few inches down the tree and squeezing it. If it stays together it doesn’t need more water but if it crumbles it’s time to give it a drink! Also, if you see the leaves turning yellow then you are watering it too much.
Avocado trees actually help purify the air. Unfortunately, many of us know what “dirty air” is like and it isn’t pleasant. So, adding a tree to your home is sure to help when you feel the air is too heavy.
Growing a tree takes time and effect. The best tasting fruit are the ones deeply cared for. While we can’t stop poor weather conditions or outsides forces that can damage the tree it’s important to do whatever we can.
“We are voluntarily recalling our products and taking every action possible to ensure the safety of consumers who eat avocados.”
– Phil Henry (President of Henry Avocado)
Currently, the company is cooperating with health officers to complete the recall of these avocados to ensure the safety of their customers.
Of course, we wish this didn’t happen in the first place but don’t let this stop you from using a creamy avocado in one of your recipes, growing one yourself, or purchasing some from the store.
Sites Use:
https://inhabitat.com/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree-from-an-avocado-pit/?variation=c
https://www.pennington.com/all-products/fertilizer/resources/how-to-grow-an-avocado-tree
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/much-water-avocado-tree-consume-64764.html