08/07/2026
If you pay extra for chips cooked in avocado oil, a new study from UC Davis might make you pause... 🥑🔍
Researchers at the University of California, Davis tested packaged foods labeled as made with avocado oil. The study revealed that 93% of the avocado oil chips tested (26 out of 28 samples) FAILED purity tests 😤. Instead of pure avocado oil, the products were diluted or completely replaced with cheaper oils like soybean, canola, or safflower oil.
🔑 Key Takeaways from the Study:
• Widespread Adulteration: Across all avocado oil-labeled processed foods tested (chips, mayonnaise, and dressings), 89% failed authenticity checks.
• Not Caused by Cooking: The researchers ran controlled frying experiments and proved that deep-frying doesn't alter the oil's chemical fingerprint—meaning the cheaper oils were added into the supply chain before cooking.
• Olive Oil Passed: In contrast, 95% of olive oil-labeled packaged foods passed the exact same purity checks. (They ran the exact same lab purity tests on 20 products labeled as containing olive oil, 19 passed cleanly (a 95% pass rate); brands like Lay's, Trader Joe's, Graza, and Torres that make olive oil products passed purity testing on their olive oil samples.)
• Supply Chain Issue: Researchers noted that food brands themselves may not even realize it—the adulteration likely happens at the oil supplier level.
So, What PASSED and what FAILED? See this link for the details (items marked with a √ means it passed) https://ucdavis.app.box.com/s/6ogs4l0ogplunooktwryr5b1m6k2xr9u/file/2353660743779
We will have to find a new swap for our Boulder Canyon chips and Chosen mayo! 😭
Is your fav avocado oil item on the pass or fail list?