Most “avocado oil” snacks aren’t pure avocado oil
Authenticity of avocado and olive oils used as ingredients in commercially processed foods
Scout Impact
If you pay extra for avocado-oil chips, mayo, or dressing to avoid seed oils, this study says the label often isn't telling the truth: 89% of avocado-oil-labeled products tested had oil profiles consistent with cheaper seed oils like canola, safflower, or soybean. Scout caps affected products' scores and flags their oil badges with this citation.
Tested products · 37
Chips, dressings, and mayos labeled as made with avocado or olive oil. Tap any product for its current score.
Failed authenticity testing · 23
Neither tested lot was compositionally consistent with the oil on the label — profiles indicate cheaper seed oils.
- Boulder Canyon Avocado Oil Classic Sea Salt Kettle Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Siete Sea Salt Kettle Potato Chips - 5.5oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Siete Maiz Sea Salt Corn Tortilla Chips - 7.5oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Kettle Brand Avocado Oil Sea Salt with a Hint of Pink Peppercorn Potato Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Kettle Brand Apple Cider Vinegar Avocado Oil Potato Chips - 6oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Jackson's Sweet Potato Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Jackson's Avocado Oil Kettle Cooked Sea Salt Potato Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Sprouts Organic Sea Salt & A Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Sprouts Kettle Style Potato Chips 100% Avocado Oil Sea Salt Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Sensible Portions Garden Veggie Straws Sea Salt with Avocado Oil - 6oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Bettergoods Hatch Chile Tortilla Chips Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Good Health Kettle Style Avocado Oil Potato Chips Sea Salt Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Sprouts Balsamic Vinaigrette with Avocado Oil Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Primal Kitchen Oil & Vinegar Vinaigrette & Marinade 8 fl oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Primal Kitchen Italian Avocado Oil Vinaigrette & Marinade Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Chosen Foods Lemon Garlic Dressing and Marinade made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil 8 fl Oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Chosen Foods Zesty Italian Dressing and Marinade made with 100% Pure Avocado Oil 8 fl Oz Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Briannas Avocado Oil Classic Balsamic Vinaigrette Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Chosen Foods Vegan Avocado Oil Mayo Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Chosen Foods Classic Avocado Oil Mayo Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Primal Kitchen Real Mayonnaise Made with Avocado Oil Labeled avocado oil Poor
- Sir Kensington's Avocado Oil Mayonnaise Labeled avocado oil Poor
- BetterBody Foods 100% Avocado Oil Mayo Labeled avocado oil Poor
Mixed results · 3
One of two tested lots was consistent with the labeled oil; the other was not.
Passed — the label held up · 11
Both tested lots were compositionally consistent with the labeled oil.
- Lay's Baked BBQ Potato Crisps Made with Olive Oil Labeled olive oil Poor
- Trader Joe's Kettle Cooked Olive Oil Potato Chips Labeled olive oil Good
- Torres Extra Virgin Olive Oil Potato Chips Labeled olive oil Excellent
- Graza Extra Virgin Olive Oil & Sea Salt Potato Chips Labeled olive oil Good
- Bella Sun Luci Italian Kitchen Sonoma Vinaigrette Labeled olive oil Good
- Bragg Organic Vinaigrette Dressing & Marinade Labeled olive oil Good
- California Olive Ranch Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing Labeled olive oil Fair
- Grove AvoYeah! Mayo Sauce Labeled avocado oil
- Grove AvoYeah! Garlic Aioli Labeled avocado oil
- Graza “Original” Mayo Labeled olive oil Fair
- Graza “Fancy” Mayo Labeled olive oil Fair
Key Findings
- 48 of 54 avocado-oil-labeled samples (89%) were compositionally inconsistent with authentic avocado oil
- 93% of avocado-oil chips, 71% of mayonnaises, and 100% of salad dressings tested inconsistent
- Inconsistent profiles indicated canola, safflower, or soybean oil in place of (or diluting) avocado oil
- Olive-oil-labeled products were largely authentic: 1 of 20 samples inconsistent
- Each product was tested across two retail lots; some products failed one lot and passed the other
Limitations
- A snapshot of the marketplace at purchase time — formulations and sourcing may change
- Consistency across two lots gives more confidence than a single lot, but lots are not a full production history
- Composition-based inference: profiles indicate other oils; the specific adulterant is not proven per product