Is it really... Avocado Oil?

In a study published in July 2026, researchers at UC Davis tested a wide variety of products whose packaging claimed to contain only pure avocado oil. The reality, however, was that 89% of the processed foods tested contained other oils – some of which were rancid or adulterated.  

In fact, of the products tested, “93% of chips, 71% of mayonnaises and 100% of salad dressings labeled as authentic avocado oil contained other oils.” In contrast, only 1 out of 20 olive oil-labelled processed foods failed their purity test.  

While the olive oil market has been around for quite some time, the avocado oil industry is both relatively new and underregulated. To really understand the current state of the avocado oil market, let's address the avocado in the room.  

First off, what is avocado oil? 

Avocado oil is extracted by pressing the pulp of fresh avocados. It varies in terms of refinement: The kind that keeps its flavor best, or what we call “extra-virgin,” is pressed out of just the green part of the avocado – not the skin, leaves, or seed – and is a vivid green color (check out La Tourangelle’s Extra Virgin Avocado Oil). This kind is best used for dips and drizzles, while more refined avocado oils (like our Salads & Sauté and Sear & Sizzle) can be used to cook at higher temperatures.  

Avocado is all the rage because it’s functional for everyday cooking, rich in antioxidants, and incredibly versatile. This oil has become a pantry staple, with products like avocado oil mayonnaise, chips, and salad dressings lining the shelves of every grocery store.  

However, processed foods labelled as containing “100% Avocado Oil” often come with a catch, as told by the 2026 UC Davis study. 

Is this confirmed by other studies?  

The short answer is, yes. Researchers from numerous universities and organizations have tested industry avocado oil, only for the chemical fingerprint – an oil’s unique levels of fatty acids and sterols – to come up short.  

In today's market, suppliers often offer two options: Codex-compliant avocado oil and non-compliant avocado oil. Codex-compliant avocado oil must meet the international purity and quality standards set by the ⁠Codex Alimentarius Commission, a food standards body created by the United Nations. Compliance ensures the oil is pure and authentic - not mixed with cheaper oils like soybean or sunflower oil. 

With so many different avocado oil suppliers, and so few regulations and quality testing before the product reaches the customer, how do you know if what you’re eating is truly what’s on the packaging? It all comes down to putting trust in the right company – one that ensures avocado oil is properly tested, quality controlled, and true to taste, flavor, and authenticity.  

The La Tourangelle Difference 

At La Tourangelle, we know exactly where our avocados come from: our own facility in Lima, Peru. Each case of oil that we receive to bottle is thoroughly tested by our quality control team to measure and record its flavor profile, antioxidants, healthy fats, and consistency. What you’re getting in your tin is high-quality, Codex-compliant Avocado Oil: every, single, time.  

That’s why customers keep coming back, and why we have created so many Avocado Oil options for the shelves – from refined, high-heat cooking oil to a flavorful blend of refined and extra virgin oil to our silky and luxurious pure Extra Virgin Avocado Oil. Not only this, but we ensure our avocado oil is fairly priced, always fresh, and sustainably sourced.  

To shop La Tourangelle Avocado Oil, visit our online store. To learn more about our quality assurance and testing standards, dive into our Avocado Oil Authenticity Report on our "About Us" page.