If you've seen headlines about avocado oil lately, you're not alone in wondering what's actually in the bottle, bag, or jar. Here's what the research says, and what the brands involved are saying in response.

What the study found

Researchers at UC Davis tested 54 processed foods labeled as containing avocado oil, including chips, mayonnaise, and salad dressings, purchased from retailers in 2025 and 2026. They found that 48 of the 54 products were adulterated with cheaper oils. Broken down by category, 93 percent of chips, 71 percent of mayonnaises, and 100 percent of salad dressings labeled as authentic avocado oil contained other oils.

For comparison, researchers ran the same tests on 20 olive oil labeled products, and only one failed. Even after building in a 10 percent margin to account for natural variation in avocado oil based on origin and growing conditions, 89 percent of avocado oil products still did not pass.

Researchers noted that adulteration likely originates further up the supply chain, with oil suppliers rather than the brands themselves, since many companies source oil through third party brokers.

What this means for shoppers

Avocado oil has become one of the more sought after ingredients in the natural foods space, often chosen by shoppers looking to avoid seed oils. This study is a reminder that verifying ingredient authenticity is complicated, and that a label alone does not always tell the full story. It does not necessarily mean a product is unsafe, but it does raise real questions about sourcing and supply chain transparency across the category.

What the brands are saying

Several brands named in the study have issued responses. Here is what each has shared:

Boulder Canyon says its avocado oil is not mixed or blended with other oils. The company points to a small group of longstanding suppliers, a certificate of analysis for every lot, and Non-GMO Project Verified status for both its products and its avocado oil suppliers. Boulder Canyon says it is reaching out to UC Davis directly to better understand the study's methodology.

Chosen Foods says it has never added seed oils to its products and that its avocado oil is tested for purity both internally and by third parties before use. The company says its products have consistently been confirmed as authentic through its verification program.

Jackson's describes a multi step authenticity program, including third party audits, independent lab analysis through Eurofins, and screening of every incoming lot using Raman spectroscopy compared against an authenticated oil profile. The company also notes that fatty acid and sterol profiles can naturally vary based on cultivar, origin, and growing conditions.

Lesser Evil says it requires a certificate of analysis and fatty acid testing documentation for every shipment of avocado oil, and sources from a certified organic, traceable supplier.

Our Home (parent company of Good Health) says the study does not include production dates or lot numbers that would allow it to trace the tested product to a specific run, and notes that the packaging shown in the study is a discontinued version. The company says Good Health has since undergone a brand refresh, including reformulation, new packaging, and a shift to in house manufacturing.

Primal Kitchen says it does not blend seed oils into its products, and requires a certificate of analysis for every batch of avocado oil along with ongoing supplier testing.

Siete says its product specifications require 100 percent avocado oil, and that its team is reviewing the study's methodology with regulatory and technical experts.

Sir Kensington's says it sources from qualified suppliers with documentation supporting oil quality, and is currently assessing the study's methodology and findings.