The Industry Problem: Why Purity Matters
Avocado oil has gained significant popularity for its high smoke point, neutral flavor, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. However, this demand has led to widespread fraud, with many brands cutting pure avocado oil with cheaper oils like sunflower, safflower, or soybean oil. This adulteration not only misleads consumers but also compromises the oil's nutritional profile and heat stability. The 2020 UC Davis study on avocado oil quality brought this issue to light, sparking a critical conversation about transparency and regulation within the industry.
Chosen Foods vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | Chosen Foods Avocado Oil | Typical Store Brand Oil | Competitor (e.g., BetterBody Foods) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity | Consistently tested pure and unoxidized by independent labs like UC Davis. | High risk of being adulterated with cheaper, mislabeled oils. | Varies by brand; some are transparent about their sourcing and testing. |
| Processing | Naturally refined using an expeller-press method and low heat, avoiding harsh chemicals. | Often refined using chemical solvents to cut costs and speed up production. | Can use a similar expeller-pressed method, but specifics vary. |
| Smoke Point | High, up to 500°F, ideal for high-heat cooking. | Lower and less consistent due to adulteration and impurities, leading to faster breakdown. | Often comparable to Chosen Foods if similarly refined, offering high-heat stability. |
| Flavor | Neutral and buttery, suitable for a wide range of cooking applications. | Can be rancid or have an off-putting flavor due to oxidation or low quality. | Generally neutral, though some refined varieties can have a slightly different profile. |
| Sourcing | Traces supply chain from grove to bottle and tests every batch. | Traceability is often unclear or non-existent, and testing is not regularly performed. | May offer details on sourcing, but transparency varies greatly across the industry. |
| Price | Tends to be higher due to stringent sourcing, testing, and natural refining processes. | Typically lower price point, which may reflect the inclusion of cheaper oils. | Can be a more budget-friendly alternative while still maintaining quality, as noted in some reviews. |
The Chosen Foods Commitment to Purity
Chosen Foods has made transparency and quality assurance a cornerstone of its brand identity. In the wake of the UC Davis report, the company publicly reaffirmed its commitment to purity, highlighting its rigorous internal processes designed to protect consumers.
How the Brand Ensures Quality
Chosen Foods implements several key measures to ensure its oil is 100% pure and high-quality:
- Batch Testing: Every single batch of oil produced is tested to verify that it is 100% pure avocado oil. This is done by analyzing the oil's unique fatty acid profile.
- Traceable Supply Chain: The brand maintains a traceable supply chain, from the avocado grove to the bottling facility, to ensure transparency and accountability.
- Natural Refining Process: Chosen Foods utilizes an expeller-press method and a proprietary low-heat process to naturally refine the oil without harsh chemicals or solvents, preserving the oil's delicate nutrients.
- Industry Advocacy: The company has actively collaborated with global governing bodies like the Codex Alimentarius Commission to help establish international standards for avocado oil, pushing for greater industry-wide integrity.
The Chosen Foods Production Process
Understanding how Chosen Foods creates its oil helps explain its consistent quality. Unlike some other refined oils that use harsh chemicals, their process is relatively straightforward and clean.
A Step-by-Step Overview
- Sourcing: Avocados are sourced from trusted growers in Mexico and other regions with ideal growing conditions.
- Extraction: The ripe avocados are hand-selected, and the fruit pulp is expeller-pressed to extract the crude oil.
- Natural Refining: The crude oil is transported to a refining facility where it undergoes a natural, low-heat process to remove impurities, waxes, and solids. This process is crucial for achieving the neutral flavor and high smoke point associated with refined avocado oil.
- Testing and Bottling: After inspection and quality approval, the pure oil is bottled and prepared for distribution.
Health Benefits of Using a High-Quality Avocado Oil
When you choose a high-quality product like Chosen Foods avocado oil, you reap a number of health benefits:
- Rich in Monounsaturated Fats: It is primarily composed of oleic acid, a heart-healthy fat that can help improve cholesterol levels.
- High in Vitamin E: Avocado oil is a source of Vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports skin health and boosts the immune system.
- Enhances Nutrient Absorption: Adding avocado oil to meals helps your body better absorb fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients from other foods, such as carotenoids from vegetables.
Weighing the Evidence: Any Potential Issues?
While the evidence for Chosen Foods' purity is strong, it is not without some public scrutiny. In 2025, a class-action lawsuit was filed alleging the company misled consumers by labeling its products as non-GMO. The basis of the suit was not that Chosen Foods' oil contained GMO ingredients, but that there are currently no genetically modified avocados on the market, so the label provided a false sense of a premium trait. This does not impact the oil's actual purity but points to a marketing practice that was challenged in court.
Conclusion: Is Chosen Foods Avocado Oil High Quality?
Based on independent, peer-reviewed research and the company's transparent practices, the answer is a definitive yes. The 2020 UC Davis study offers strong evidence of Chosen Foods' commitment to producing a genuinely pure avocado oil, distinguishing it from many low-quality and adulterated products on the market. While it may come at a higher price point than some alternatives, the brand's verified purity, high smoke point, and neutral flavor make it a reliable and versatile choice for high-heat cooking and general culinary use. For consumers prioritizing quality, transparency, and a healthy cooking oil, Chosen Foods consistently proves its value.
UC Davis Study Finds 82 Percent of Avocado Oil Rancid or Mixed With Other Oils
