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Avocados: hipster favourite or 鈥榯he blood diamonds of Mexico鈥�?

19 December 2018

Popularity for avocados .

Such is the level of demand for the delicious fruit – well, technically, berry – that .

And their monosaturated fat content .

Why, then, has one prominent Michelin star chef labelled them “the blood diamonds of Mexico”?

Irish chef and author JP McMahon has removed avocados from his restaurants — and believes other restaurants should follow suit.

He explained why on Mornings with Kaye Adams.

Are avocados really ‘the blood diamonds of Mexico’?

鈥楢vocados show how wrong our food system is鈥�

“At the moment, most of the world’s avocados come from Mexico.

“There are a lot of issues with cartel involvement in the ownership and also the pressure placed on avocado farmers.”

Around 4 billion avocados are consumed each year in the USA alone; their growth and processing require industrial farming methods.

As well as being ethically dubious in McMahon’s mind, the chef also believes avocados are “a lazy chef’s option.”

“There are local options that we can use if we want to give a vegan or vegetarian option; it doesn’t always have to be an avocado.”

McMahon didn’t limit his caution to the humble avocado, though. He also shared reservations about the farming of beef, quinoa, coffee and chocolate.

“I think if you take any product to an industrial level, you put pressure on the environment.”

Are there other issues with avocados?

Avocado theft in New Zealand.

How much water is needed to grow avocados?

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