Are You Using Fake Avocado Oil? What to Look Out For

Packaged foods, like potato chips, salad dressings and mayonnaise, featuring avocado oil as a marketing device also recently became suspect.

Here on this page, we will share our independent review analyzing this very hot and trendy topic.

First, let's get straight to the source of collected data in the main two studies that largely expose the fraudulent avocado oil scam.

Most all information on the quality and purity of commercial avocado oil was led by authority and scientist Selina Wang, Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Food Science and Technology at U.C. Davis.(*)

The scientific analysis on fake avocado oil actually began in 2020 by Wang and her research team and recently they published another 2026 study.

This is the reason why the controversy has made a resurgence back into the public spotlight.

The first 2020 study conducted revealed that out of 22 samples of extra virgin and refined avocado oil sold commercially, 15 were rancid prior to the best-by date. 

When an oil goes rancid, it oxidizes and renders its beneficial antioxidants moot.

This study also shockingly confirmed that six were diluted to a lower-quality using cheap seed oils, 3 of which were 100% soybean oil.

This was done for nothing more than one thing... profit $$$.

Since pure avocado oil is more expensive due to production costs, companies maintain the same price point but lower their own costs to make more money.

Of course, some well-meaning brands might be outsourcing or buying their oil from a bulk supplier who "claims" it's the legit real deal when it’s not.

The latest 2026 study was focused on the authenticity of both avocado oil and olive oil utilized as ingredients in commercially processed food products such as chips, dressings and mayonnaise. 

Surprisingly, research identified similar results with 89% of the avocado oil-labeled products tested showing inconsistent fatty acid and sterol markers, revealing that they were not authentic avocado oil.

The major problem we see is that there is still, over six years since the first study, very loose standards on commercial avocado oil.

Since in the U.S. it goes unregulated, the oil in a bottle labeled "avocado oil" could literally be only 1% or even less. Currently, the FDA has not established a "standards of identity" which essentially protects the consumer from fraudulent claims or confusing marketing terms.

Unlike olive oil, which has strict regulation, avocado oil is relatively new to the cooking oil scene. Basically, if you're promoting it as extra virgin pure avocado oil it needs to have the same set of standards comparable to extra virgin olive oil.

Like Selina Wang has stated, "Consumers should be able to trust that labeling and get the product that is reflected on the label."

These studies also bring to light the need for greater authenticity and the monitoring of food product integrity in processed foods that use avocado oil.

According to our investigation, since 2020 there have been some top brands acknowledged as genuine pure avocado oils.

• Marianna's
• Avohass
• CalPure
• BellaVado

Chosen Foods (bought out by private equity in 2021) was on the list but now is among the brands that failed recent tests. They are currently been subpoenaed to prove the actual ingredients in their oil.

Most available in stores these days seem to be refined versions, which are utilized for their higher smoke point between 482-520°F (250-270°C), making it a better option for high heat cooking.

Extra virgin unrefined oils contain more nutritional components and are used raw on meals or for lower heat applications between 350-400°F (177-204°C).

If you're using avocado oil as a healthier cooking oil alternative, here are some other ways to help avoid fake avocado oil look-a-likes.

Tip #1 Read Label Certifications

The highest quality avocado oil should come with certain certifications.

The three main labels to look out for are a USDA Organic label, a Seed Oil-Free Certified label and/or the Clean Label Purity Award.

Currently, some have all three while most others are organically certified only. A few online brands even provide a Certificate of Analysis (COA), a quality-controlled document issued by a third-party lab that confirms a specific batch of oil meets required standards for purity, safety and fatty acid composition.

Likewise, brands that offer proof of "Single-Origin Sourcing", rather than oil that's coming from mixed origins, is less-likely to be adulterated.

All genuine avocado oil usually comes in dark glass bottles, not plastic or clear containers.

The darker glass protects the oil, especially extra virgin types, from going rancid and also is a sign the company is taking an extra step to ensure quality.

If you using extra virgin avocado oil, you can do your own quality testing when you pour out the oil. If it has a darker green hue, due to chlorophyll pigments in the avocado pulp, its genuine!

Refined is usually less green and more of a golden color because chlorophyll is removed during processing.

The general rule of thumb is, if it doesn’t say extra virgin then it’s been refined.

Fake avocado oil labeled "extra virgin" will have an off-putting odor (like plastic or paint), while the real oil often has a grassy avocado-like fragrance.

Apparently, avocado oil sourced from Mexico (where avocados are grown on a large commercial scale) appears to be another sign to look for when making your purchase.