The FDA would like to remind you to please wash your avocados before cutting them. Well actually, the FDA wants you to wash all fruit—but a two-year sampling surveillance program may have found that the green goodness of avocados might come with something that you definitely don’t want in your kitchen: food-borne illnesses.

Between 2014 and 2016, the FDA collected and tested whole fresh avocados, testing the skins and flesh for Salmonella and Listeria. Of the 1,615 samples, only 0.74 percent tested positive for Salmonella on the skin. While that’s not a crazy-high number, any presence of a bacteria on the skin means that cutting into the fruit can spread the microorganisms into the flesh—and ultimately, into your system.

Photo: Matthew Henry via Burst

When it comes to Listeria and avocados, the FDA testing found that more than 17 percent of the fruit tested did have Listeria on the skin—but only 0.24 percent had the pathogen inside. While Listeria doesn’t typically cause illness in healthy adults, it can be especially dangerous for pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a compromised immune system.

So what does this mean for all of you avocado enthusiasts out there? Quite simply: wash your fruit! The easiest way to avoid contaminating the inside of your avocado with anything that’s on the outside of the peel is to clean and thoroughly dry it before cutting.

—Erica Loop

 

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That Ground Turkey Recall Got Even Bigger

Check your pantry shelves right now, because there’s a voluntary Ritz Cracker recall—and it includes 16 varieties of Ritz Cracker Sandwiches and Ritz Bitz cracker items. Mondelez International announced that it is voluntarily recalling products that contain whey powder, which was recalled by its supplier for Salmonella concerns. A spokesperson from Mondelez International directed consumers to its news release online regarding the recall.

Recalled Product Description: Ritz Crackers & Ritz Bit Sandwiches

The affected Ritz products include 16 items:

  • Ritz Bits Cheese Big Bag, 3 oz. with the UPC 044000006776, Best When Used By Dates Mar. 7, 2019-April 13, 2019
  • Ritz Bits Cheese, 1 oz. with the UPC 044000020255, Best When Used By Dates Mar. 7, 2019-April 13, 2019
  • Ritz Bits Cheese, 12 Pack Carton with the UPC 044000020323, Best When Used By Dates Mar.8, 2019-April 13, 2019
  • Ritz Bits Cheese, 30 Pack Carton with the UPC 044000013097, Best When Used By Dates Mar.3, 2019-April 13, 2019
  • Ritz Bits Cheese, 1.5 oz.with the UPC 044000009298, Best When Used By Dates Mar.3, 2019-April 13, 2019
  • Ritz Bits Cheese, 3 oz. Go Packs with the UPC 044000032159, Best When Used By Dates Mar.7, 2019-April 12, 2019
  • Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches, 10.8oz. with the UPC 044000882112, Best When Used By Dates Jan.14, 2019-Feb.11, 2019
  • Ritz Cheese Cracker Sandwiches, 1.35oz. with the UPC 044000002115, Best When Used By Dates Jan.14,2019-Feb.11,2019
  • Ritz Bacon Cracker Sandwiches with Cheese, 1.35oz. with the UPC 044000045678, Best When used By Dates Feb. 5, 2019-Feb.6, 2019
  • Ritz Whole Wheat Cracker Sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese, 10.8oz with UPC 044000045777, Best When Used By Dates Feb. 4, 2019-Feb. 5, 2019
  • Ritz Whole Wheat Cracker Sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese, 1.35oz. with the UPC 044000045784, Best When Used By Dates Feb. 4, 2019-Feb. 5, 2019
  • Ritz Everything Cracker Sandwiches with Cream Cheese, 10.8oz. with the UPC 044000045791, Best When Used By Dates Feb. 6,7,8 2019
  • Ritz Everything Cracker Sandwiches with Cream Cheese, 1.35oz. with the UPC 044000045807, Best When Used By Dates Feb. 6,7,8 2019
  • Mixed Cookie Cracker Variety, 20 Pack with the UPC 044000041007, Best When Used By Dates Feb. 1, 2019-Feb.4, 2019
  • Mixed Cookie Cracker Variety, 40 Pack with the UPC 044000042210, best When Used By Dates Jan.31, 2019-Feb.5,2019.

Why It Was Recalled

The affected products were recalled due to Salmonella contamination risk. While there have been no illnesses or complaints related to the affected products, Modelez International is recalling these items as a precaution following a whey powder recall. The whey powder used in these products was recalled by its manufacturer due to the potential presence of Salmonella.

Salmonella can cause serious illness, including diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever.

How to Tell If Your Ritz Crackers Are Part of the Recall

Review the type, size, UPC and use by dates of your Ritz products to tell if they are part of the recall. If you have any question whether your product is recalled don’t eat it. Contact Mondelez International Customer Relations at 1-844-366-1171 for more information.

What Parents Can Do

Do not eat these products. If you have one, or a few, of the affected items throw them away immediately. Again, contact Mondelez International for more information. Specialists are available to provide answers to your questions from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday EST.

—Erica Loop

Featured Photo: Mike Mozart via Flickr

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