A new study from the University of California, Davis, shows that there is widespread adulteration in processed foods on the market that claim to contain avocado oil. Among the 54 products sampled, 48 (89%) were found to be mixed with cheap alternative oils such as rapeseed oil and safflower seed oil. The research was published in the journal Applied Food Research.
The research team purchased samples from online retailers and physical stores in California between 2025 and 2026. The test found that the adulteration ratios of different categories of products were significantly different: 93% of the potato chips with avocado oil nominally contained other oils and fats, all salad dressings failed the purity test, and the adulteration ratio of mayonnaise was 71%. In comparison, the researchers conducted the same test on 20 processed foods labeled with olive oil, and only one failed.
The person in charge of the research pointed out that the authenticity identification of olive oil has gone through decades of research and strict supervision, while avocado oil is a relatively new and expensive category, and the supervision system is far from perfect, so consumers lack sufficient protection.
Adulteration problems can start further up the supply chain. The person in charge of the research said that many food brands purchase oils and fats through third-party brokers or multi-tier suppliers. Without strict testing, they may not be aware that the purchased oils and fats have been adulterated. She called for strengthening the responsibility traceability in all aspects of the supply chain, and brands should also take the initiative to verify the authenticity of raw materials.
Similar problems have been traced before. The team's 2020 study found that 82% of commercially available bottled avocado oil was rancid or adulterated, and subsequent research found that 70% of retailers' own-brand avocado oil had similar problems. Currently, avocado oil processed foods are increasingly on the shelves of major supermarket chains. The price is equivalent to or even higher than olive oil products, but the purity guarantee is far less than that of the latter.
