Healthy snack makers aren’t following through.
What’s happening: A UC Davis study found 89% of avocado oil-labeled packaged food is cut with cheaper oils.
Fried. Perceived as healthier than seed oils, consumers pay up to $2/oz. more for avo-fried chips and over $1.50/oz. extra for mayo and salad dressings made with it.
But 93% of the chips, most of the mayo, and all of the salad dressings UC Davis tested failed to match oil claims — a list including PepsiCo-owned Siete Foods, Utz-owned Boulder Canyon, and Kraft Heinz-owned Primal Kitchen.
Refuting the study, Primal Kitchen founder Mark Sisson made personal assurances for its 100% authenticity, but the court of public opinion may have already ruled.
Frenzy. Overwhelmed by UPFs, Americans are growing more distrustful of Big Food — especially as conglomerates snap up better-for-you favorites.
Demanding accountability, consumers are turning to apps like Yuka and Oasis for quality assurance. A double-edged sword, manufacturers work with Yuka to improve formulas, while Oasis has been accused of fearmongering, leading LMNT to take legal action over false claims.
Punchline: For Big Food, it’s a witch hunt. But for consumers, the study confirms their worst fears. The growing disconnect sets the stage for clashes to come.
