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.
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