Why Was The Avocado Inspector Threatened?

In August 2019, a U.S. Department of Agriculture team of inspectors was “directly threatened” in Ziracuaretiro, a town just west of Uruapan. While the agency didn’t specify what happened, local authorities say a gang robbed the truck the inspectors were traveling in at gunpoint.

What was the threat to the avocado inspector?

(CNN Business) The suspension of avocado imports from Mexico came after a US safety inspector received a credible death threat, according to a US official with knowledge of the matter. The inspector had denied permission for a shipment from the Mexican state of Michoacán.

Why did the US ban avocados?

Avocados from Mexico have been fueling America’s taste for the fruit since 1997, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture lifted a 1914 import ban, which originally was implemented due to fears over pests like seed weevils infesting U.S. crops.

Why is the US not buying Mexican avocados?

The United States has suspended avocado imports from Mexico because a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico was threatened, The Associated Press reported. The suspension started Saturday after the inspector was threatened in Michoacán, the only Mexican state authorized to export avocados to the United States.

Why was Mexico’s avocado recalled?

The move comes after a drug cartel struck out at growers in the state of Michoacan, which is Mexico’s only completely permitted state for exporting the fruit to the U.S. market. The ban hits an industry with a total of almost $3 billion in exports to the United States.

Who threatened the avocado inspector in Mexico?

It is not the first time that the violence in Michoacan – where the Jalisco drug cartel is fighting turf wars against a collection of local gangs known as the United Cartels – has threatened avocados, the state’s most lucrative crop.

What has happened to avocado?

Avocados will likely be in short supply and more expensive due to Mexican-import suspension. The federal government has suspended all imports of Mexican avocados after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat. Avocado supply is expected to shrink in the coming weeks until the suspension is lifted.

How long did the avocado ban last?

one-week
The one-week suspension of imports of avocados from Mexico was lifted on Feb. 18, and shipments were expected to reach pre-suspension levels as soon as the week of Feb. 20. The suspension had been issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Feb.

Can Brown avocado be eaten?

Although it may not be as appetizing as before, brown avocados are absolutely fine to eat and still retain their healthy qualities. Avocado flesh, like the flesh of bananas or apples, will react to the oxygen in the air and begin to turn brown as chemical compounds oxidize (per Scientific American).

How much does avocado cost?

According to Guan, the monthly average price of an avocado has risen about 40 percent since January 2021. In January 2021, an avocado cost about $1.05. Now, consumers can expect to pay about $1.36 per avocado, a price that will only rise if the stoppage of Mexican imports continues.

Is it safe to eat avocados from Mexico?

They’ll end up rotting, says food reporter. The U.S. announced a few days ago that it’s temporarily banning avocado imports from Mexico after an American produce safety inspector in Michoacán received a threat.

Why is avocado so expensive?

The main reason avocados cost so much is because it costs more to produce them, especially in terms of water usage. On average, if we’re producing 100,000 pounds of avocados per acre, that takes about a million gallons of water. Plus the costs of fertilizer.

Why did Mexico stop sending avocados?

The import halt began Feb. 11 after a U.S. embassy security official judged a threat made against a USDA employee credible. According to APHIS, a U.S. inspector raised concerns about an avocado shipment and refused certification.

Did U.S. ban Mexican avocados?

The United States lifted a temporary ban on avocados from Mexico on Friday, allowing exports of the fruit to resume, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The ban had been issued on Feb. 11 after a verbal threat was made to a U.S. inspector working in the country.

Did the avocado ban end?

On February 11, 2022, an American agricultural inspector working in Michoacán, Mexico, the only location where the United States accepts avocado imports, received what was determined to be a credible anonymous threat to their safety.

Why are there no avocados in stores?

Those avocados you planned on buying to make fresh guacamole could be the next great shortage of 2022. Avocado imports from Mexico to the U.S. were suspended indefinitely Feb. 12, after a U.S. plant safety inspector in Mexico received a threat.

Why is my avocado purple inside?

What it is: Pigment from the skin. Eat or toss: Eat! The purple on the avocado’s flesh is normal and doesn’t raise questions about the safety of the avocado.

Can dogs eat avocado?

In large amounts, it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and myocardial damage. Avocado flesh’s high fat content can lead to gastrointestinal upset and pancreatitis in dogs if they eat too much, and because it’s calorie-dense, it can also lead to weight gain.

Can I eat avocado skin?

In humans, however, avocado skin is not only safe to eat, it has a host of health benefits; Popular Science points specifically to the avocado skin’s carotenoid content. Further, according to scientific research, the persin found in the avocado skins may even kill breast cancer cells.

Can you freeze avocados?

Ripe avocado can be frozen mashed or puréed, as well as in halves or chunks, and kept for 4–6 months. Add lemon juice and seal the avocado tightly in plastic or with a vacuum sealer to minimize browning.

What state eats the most avocados?

Los Angeles still consumes the most avocados—some 300 million annually—but other cities, like New York, Dallas, Phoenix, and Houston are catching up.