SerpApi.Org
As people attempt to shift towards healthier, cleaner ingredients, avocado oil and olive oil have become popular grocery store grabs.
Experts have concluded that avocado oil has numerous health benefits compared to typical vegetable oil alternatives.
The oil, pressed from the pulp of an avocado, has been known to reduce cholesterol an improve heart health, have antioxidant benefits that are good for the eyes, enhance absorption of nutrients and even reduce symptoms of arthritis.
“It’s rich in oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat), polyunsaturated fats, carotenoids and other antioxidant-rich nutrients that are linked to improved heart, skin and eye health,” writes Healthline.
Risks to Consider
Meanwhile, olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties, may help prevent strokes, may fight Alzheimer’s disease and has antibacterial properties. Many influencers have even made the oil a part of their daily ritual, taking a spoonful of it in the morning with the rest of their vitamins.
“They claim there are many benefits of drinking olive oil, from improved digestion to glowing skin. Some even suggest that drinking olive oil can ‘detox’ your body,” writes GoodRx, noting that, while there are health benefits, there are some risks to consider with the practice as well.
With these many positive attributes, it is no wonder that many brands have turned to alternative oils when producing classic foods like chips, mayonnaise and salad dressings.
However, a new study published in Applied Food Research suggests that the avocado and olive oils used in these premium snacks may not be as authentic as their packaging suggests.
“To date, most studies have focused on bottled oils sold directly to consumers, whereas oils used as ingredients in processed foods have received little analytical attention,” the authors explain.
Concerning Findings
Researchers evaluated 74 commercially processed chips, mayonnaises and salad dressings labeled as containing avocado oil or olive oil. The products were purchased in 2025 and 2026 from online retailers and California stores and do not represent the entire alternative-oil market.
Of the 20 olive oil-labeled products, one was found to be inconsistent with authentic compositional ranges. Of the 54 avocado oil-labeled products, 48 were inconsistent.
This means that 89 percent of the tested avocado oil products were not actually accurate.
Within this group, 93 percent of chips, 71 percent of mayonnaise and 100 percent of salad dressings labeled as authentic olive oil actually contained other oils.
Researchers studied fatty acid and sterol compositions in the oils, accounting for compositional deviations that occur when the oils are deep-fried, blended or emulsified.
They also explained that many of the food processors may not actually be aware that the ingredients they are using are not completely authentic.
“Many food companies source their oils from third-party brokers or from several different suppliers. Without rigorous testing, food companies may never detect adulterated oil,” explained Medical Xpress.
‘A similar reckoning’
Instead, explained lead author Selina Wang, professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Department of Food Science and Technology, the adulteration likely originates with oil suppliers.
“I don’t think there is enough accountability throughout the supply chain. Suppliers of adulterated oil may be hiding behind a couple of layers of supply chain, making it difficult to identify where the problem originated,” Wang said to Newsweek.
The complexity of the process makes a culprit difficult to identify, a worrying thought for health-conscious shoppers. While this news is troubling, this research takes food manufacturers one step closer to making completely pure avocado oil-based products.
“I’d point to olive oil as the precedent, which went through a similar reckoning about two decades ago: standardized testing methods, more frequent testing, tighter and enforceable standards and more scrutiny from regulators and retailers,” Wang told Newsweek.
“Quality and purity in the olive oil category have improved substantially since… I expect avocado oil to follow a similar path.
“My hope is that findings like this accelerate those efforts for the avocado oil industry, so it can continue to grow and gain consumer trust.”
Related Articles
