Avocado oil has earned a reputation as one of the healthiest oils on the planet, packed with monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants. But here’s the shocking truth: most avocado oil on store shelves today is adulterated or mislabeled.
In a 2020 UC Davis study, researchers tested 22 avocado oils sold in U.S. retail stores. Their findings were eye-opening:
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- 82% were either rancid before their expiration date or adulterated with cheaper oils like soybean, sunflower, or canola.
- Only 3 out of 22 met the expected purity and freshness standards for “extra virgin” or “refined” avocado oil.
- Many labels claiming “cold-pressed” or “extra virgin” didn’t match what was in the bottle.
Why This Happens
Unlike olive oil, there are no official U.S. or international standards of identity for avocado oil, meaning there’s no legal definition or testing requirement to verify what’s on the label.
A California bill (AB 239) that would have required state-level standards by January 1, 2025, failed to pass earlier this year. Meanwhile, the Codex Alimentarius Commission (the global body that sets food standards) has begun drafting international guidelines for the purity and composition of avocado oil, but those standards are still pending.
What You Can Do Now
Until official standards are finalized, consumer awareness is the best protection.
✅ Recommendation:
For now, I recommend you only buy avocado oil that clearly states “Extra Virgin Avocado Oil” on the label. Anything without the words “Extra Virgin” runs a much higher risk of being adulterated or blended with cheaper oils.
Look for brands that provide third-party lab verification or publish chemical analysis showing their oil’s purity and freshness.
Bottom Line
Avocado oil can be one of the healthiest fats you use, but only when it’s authentic. Standards are on the way, but until they’re finalized, choose wisely and stay informed. Personally, my primary oil is extra virgin olive oil because it already meets established quality standards and is both stable and health-promoting.
References
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- Crews, C., Wang, S. C., Smirnoff, N., & Laursen, K. H. (2020). Adulteration of avocado oil and quality parameters of retail samples. Food Control, 110, 107018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2019.107018
- California Legislature. (2023). Assembly Bill 239 — Avocado Oil: Standards of Identity. Retrieved from https://calmatters.digitaldemocracy.org/bills/ca_202320240ab239
- Codex Alimentarius Commission. (2024, July 1). International Standard-Setting Activities: Inclusion of Avocado Oil in Standard for Named Vegetable Oils (CXS 210-1999). Federal Register. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/01/2024-14399/international-standard-setting-activities
- Catania Oils. (2024, November 26). Codex Essentials: Keeping Up with Changing Avocado Oil Standards. Retrieved from https://cataniaoils.com/2024/11/26/codex-essentials-keeping-up-with-changing-avocado-oil-standards
- Food Industry Executive. (2024, December 18). Chosen Foods Applauds Codex Decision to Establish International Standard for Avocado Oil Purity. Retrieved from https://foodindustryexecutive.com/2024/12/chosen-foods-applauds-codex-alimentarius-commissions-decision-to-establish-an-international-standard-for-avocado-oil-purity
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Robert Ferguson is a California- and Florida-based single father of two daughters, clinical nutritionist, Omega Balancing Coach™, researcher, best-selling author, speaker, podcast and television host, health advisor, NAACP Image Award Nominee, creator of the Diet Free Life methodology, and Chief Nutrition Officer for iCoura Health. He also serves on the Presidential Task Force on Obesity for the National Medical Association and the Health and Product Advisory Board for Zinzino, Inc.
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