Apparently nature's packaging wasn't good enough.

A Thornhill, Ont., Sobeys recently sparked online outrage by selling pre-peeled and packaged avocado halves — for $3.99.

On Facebook, Christine Kizik shared a photo of the avocado halves taken by her friend and asked Sobeys why it stocked the product. Avocados, she also noted in her post, have their own wrapping that can be tossed into the compost.

"Adding packaging to an avocado is strange to say the least," Kizik wrote.

Sobeys wrote back to say the packaging keeps avocado green, not brown, and offers customers more convenience.

"This product was developed for people who might be new to using avocados," Sobeys wrote in a reply to Kizik's Facebook post.

In addition, "it eliminates the guess work when it comes to ripeness and any challenges if you are not familiar with peeling and seeding a fresh avocado."

That explanation was largely met with derision in the ensuing comment chain, though some did suggest the pre-halved avocados were a good idea.

CBC News has contacted Sobeys to find out if the packaged avocados are still on the shelves.

The product was designed by Calavo, a multimillion-dollar company founded in California that also harvests avocados in Mexico.

The company also makes pre-packaged guacamole, for those who find it difficult to mash up avocado, onion and lime juice.