Officials from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have warned against trying out a viral hack for storing avocados.

In recent months, videos of people submerging the green fruit in glass jars in the fridge began to trend on TikTok, with users claiming the method slows down the ripening process.

However, a representative from the FDA has now warned consumers against trying out the trend.

"The main concern is with the possibility that any residual human pathogens (i.e. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., etc.) that may be residing on the avocado surface may potentially multiply during the storage when submerged in water," they said in a statement issued to Good Morning America.

They went on to refer to research undertaken by FDA scientists in which they reported that listeria monocytogenes had the potential to "infiltrate and internalise" the pulp of avocados when submerged in refrigerated dump tanks within 15 days during refrigerated storage.

"In this case, even surface disinfecting the avocado skin prior to slicing would not be able to remove the contamination," they added.

Uncut avocados that are ripe or close to it should be stored in an airtight container or crisper drawer of a fridge.