Not My Avocado Toast: Company Recalls California-Grown Avocados

You might think twice before you smear avocado on your toast: Some California-grown avocados are being recalled in five states, including Arizona, California, Florida, New Hampshire, North Carolina and Wisconsin.

The Escondido-based retailer Henry Avocado is voluntarily recalling the fruit because environmental samples taken during a routine government inspection tested positive for Listeria, which can cause serious illness in kids and the elderly. In healthy people, it can cause nausea, fever and diarrhea.

“We are voluntarily recalling our products and taking every action possible to ensure the safety of consumers who eat our avocados,” company president Phil Henry wrote in a statement.

All the avocados in question have a yellow and green oval-shaped sticker that includes a black barcode. One sticker includes the brand name "Bravocado" and the other is labeled “organic.”

“If you are unsure if the avocados you purchased are involved in the recall, you should check with your local retailer or discard the product,” Henry said.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration reported that one out of five avocados sold in the United States has some amount of Listeria on their skin. But with a good scrubbing, most of that can be removed, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Still, Company officials say people who have bought recalled avocados “are urged not to consume them, but to discard them or return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.”

So far, no illnesses have been reported and company officials say the avocados it distributes from Mexico are still safe to slice open and eat.
Around 338 million pounds of California avocados were harvested last year, reports the California Avocado Commission, which did not respond to CapRadio’s requests for comment.