Study Finds Most Packaged “Avocado Oil” Foods Are Diluted with Cheaper Oils

A University of California-Davis study published on ScienceDirect examined 54 processed foods that advertised themselves as “made with avocado oil.” Chemical analysis of fatty acids and fatty-alcohol esters showed that 48 items contained cheaper oils such as canola or safflower. Every salad dressing tested failed purity checks, and 93 % of avocado-oil-labeled chips and 71 % of the mayonnaise products also contained other oils. The research covered brands including Chosen Foods, Kettle Brand, Lay’s, Lesser Evil, Primal Kitchen, Siete and Simply Frito-Lay.

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Health-trend marketing has turned avocado oil into a premium ingredient over the past decade, promoted as low in saturated fat and a “cleaner” alternative to conventional vegetable oils. Consumer willingness to pay a premium—up to more than 500 % compared with standard mayonnaise—has spurred demand that outpaced the development of purity standards. Earlier UC-Davis work found 82 % of bottled avocado oils were rancid or blended (2020) and 70 % of private-label versions were similarly compromised.

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Lead author Selina Wang, a UC-Davis food-science professor, said the supply-chain structure leaves manufacturers vulnerable: most companies obtain oils from third-party brokers or multiple suppliers, making it difficult to detect adulteration without rigorous testing. Wang emphasized that both consumers and manufacturers deserve authentic ingredients.

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The study points to a “supply-chain accountability gap” that allows intentional blending of avocado oil with cheaper varieties to boost profit margins while retaining premium marketing. Critics note that, unlike olive oil, avocado oil has never been subject to sustained regulatory scrutiny, creating an environment where mislabeling can persist unchecked.

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• “Consumers are increasingly paying a premium for products made with avocado oil or olive oil,” — Selina Wang, UC Davis food-science professor

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• “They deserve to get what they pay for and food manufacturers deserve confidence that the ingredients they purchase from suppliers are authentic.” — Selina Wang

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• “ UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images The study , published Wednesday by Science Direct, found that 48 of the 54 avocado oil-labeled products tested also contained cheaper oils like canola and safflower.” — UC Davis study

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• “The study tested chips, salad dressings and mayonnaises that claimed to be made fully with avocado oil and found that most labels were misleading—every single salad dressing tested failed the researcher’s purity checks, while 93% of avocado oil-labeled chips and 71% of avocado oil-labeled mayonnaises also contained other oils.” — UC Davis study

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• “A 2020 study from the same institution found that 82% of commercially bottled avocado oils were either rancid or blended with other oils.” — UC Davis study

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• “A subsequent study found 70% of private-label avocado oils were rancid or adulterated.” — UC Davis study

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