Is Olive Oil FAKE?


🫒 Is Your Olive Oil Fake? Here’s How to Choose the Real Stuff (and Why It Matters)



You’re doing the right thing: taking high-quality supplements like astaxanthin, vitamin D, lutein, or CoQ10. But here’s the catch — if you’re not pairing them with real, healthy fat, your body may barely absorb them.


And if your go-to fat is olive oil, you’d better make sure it’s real.





⚠️ Why Olive Oil Quality Matters



The supplement aisle is full of powerful fat-soluble nutrients. But they only work if your body can absorb them — and that requires fat.


Many people reach for olive oil as their “healthy fat,” but studies have shown that a surprising number of olive oils are adulterated with cheaper, refined oils like soybean or sunflower. Some aren’t even “extra virgin,” despite the label.


Using low-grade oil can:


  • Severely reduce nutrient absorption
  • Add oxidized, inflammatory fats to your diet
  • Waste your supplement investment






âś… How to Spot Real Extra Virgin Olive Oil



Use this checklist when you shop:



âś” Look for:



  • Label says “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”
  • Dark glass bottle (protects freshness)
  • Harvest date (not just “best by”)
  • Single country of origin
  • Certifications like:
    • COOC – California Olive Oil Council
    • PDO/PGI – Protected origin status in Europe
    • NAOOA – North American Olive Oil Association




❌ Avoid:



  • Clear plastic bottles
  • Generic blends labeled “Packed in Italy”
  • Super cheap oils under $10/liter
  • No harvest or origin info






đź›’ The Best Olive Oils You Can Actually Trust




💲 Budget-Friendly ($10–$15/liter)



  • Kirkland Organic EVOO (Costco) – High-quality and tested
  • California Olive Ranch Everyday – COOC certified, clean taste
  • Trader Joe’s Greek EVOO – Single-origin, solid value




💲💲 Mid-Range ($15–$25)



  • Cobram Estate – Award-winning Australian oil
  • Lucini Italia EVOO – Fruity and smooth
  • PJ Kabos (Greek) – Fresh, flavorful, and tested for purity




💲💲💲 Premium / Artisan ($25+)



  • Kasandrinos – Organic Greek oil, great with supplements
  • McEvoy Ranch – California estate-grown
  • Frantoi Cutrera – Renowned Sicilian oil, powerful flavor






đźš« Oils to Be Cautious With



These brands have been flagged in past quality reports:


  • Bertolli
  • Pompeian
  • Filippo Berio
  • Any brand that doesn’t list harvest date or origin



These may be blended, refined, or rancid — not what you want if you’re chasing health.





🧪 Bonus Tip: Try the Fridge Test



Put a small glass of olive oil in the fridge overnight.


  • Real EVOO: Thickens or clouds up
  • Blended/fake: Stays clear and liquid



Not foolproof, but a decent red flag test.





🧠 Why It Matters



Your body needs fat to absorb key nutrients like:


  • Astaxanthin
  • Vitamin A, D, E, K
  • Lutein & zeaxanthin
  • Curcumin
  • CoQ10



Even a spoonful of real olive oil with your supplements can turn poor absorption into maximum benefit.





🥄 Takeaway



Don’t trust the label alone. Choose a real, high-quality extra virgin olive oil if you want to get your money’s worth from your food and supplements.


A few extra dollars on a good bottle now can mean better health, better absorption, and way less waste.

Back to blog