The sneaky economics of healthwashing
A recent study reveals that many food products marketed as containing pure avocado oil are actually adulterated with cheaper oils. This practice, known as 'healthwashing,' misleads consumers into paying premium prices for products that lack the promised nutritional benefits.
Why it matters
It exposes deceptive marketing practices in the food industry that exploit consumer health consciousness for higher profit margins.
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If you go to a store like Whole Foods, you'll find a lot more than … whole foods. You'll also find bougie packaged snacks, cereals, and all sorts of other processed foods and drinks. Often they'll have buzzwords on their packaging. "Organic." "Non-GMO." "High protein." "No Cholesterol." "100% Avocado Oil." These products tend to cost more, and they come with a sort of promise: they're better for you than the cheaper stuff.
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