Nearly 90% of Avocado Oil Labeled Products Failed Purity Test in Study
A University of California, Davis study found that 48 out of 54 products labeled as containing avocado oil were found to contain cheaper oils like canola or safflower.
A significant portion of food products marketed with avocado oil may not be as pure as claimed, according to new research from the University of California, Davis.
The study analyzed 54 products, including chips, salad dressings, and mayonnaises, from two dozen brands. Researchers discovered that 48 of these products contained cheaper oils, such as canola and safflower, despite their labeling.
Every tested salad dressing failed the purity check. Additionally, 93 percent of avocado oil-labeled chips and 71 percent of avocado oil-labeled mayonnaises were found to contain other oils. This widespread discrepancy points to significant mislabeling issues within the industry across multiple product types.
Lead author Selina Wang, a UC Davis food science professor, stated that the research aimed to see if the purity problems observed in bottled avocado oil had extended to finished food products. The study noted that only one out of 20 olive oil-labeled products failed a similar test, suggesting that avocado oil currently lacks the extensive regulatory scrutiny that olive oil has faced for decades.
The findings raise concerns for consumers and highlight a need for greater transparency and accuracy in food product labeling, particularly as avocado oil is often marketed as a premium, healthier alternative.