Why Your “Extra-Virgin” Oil Isn’t So Clean

A new study just dropped—and it’s one you need to see.

Thirteen of the most popular olive oil brands were sent to an EPA‑certified lab to be tested for hormone‑disrupting chemicals called phthalates.

And the results are eye‑opening…

All 13 tested positive, with levels ranging from 655 ppb to over 6,000 ppb—the highest levels found in oils labeled extra-virgin and cold-pressed.

To put this in context: even modest exposure to phthalates is linked to reproductive problems, diabetes, obesity, thyroid disruption, neurotoxicity, and more.

Here’s what the numbers looked like:

• Three brands exceeded 2,000 ppb—well into the high-risk zone (over 4,000 ppb in one extra-virgin label).

• Nine out of 13 brands had levels above 1,200 ppb.

What makes this even more troubling?

The FDA still allows phthalates as indirect food additives, even in products marketed to children—even while they’re banned in children’s toys.

So what’s our takeaway?

1. The labels don’t guarantee purity. “Extra‑virgin,” “cold‑pressed”—these don’t protect you from plasticizer contamination.

2. Where contamination happens: Manufacturing, storage, plastic tubing, packaging—all of it can introduce phthalates into the oil.

3. Not all brands are equal. Some oils tested much lower than others—but even the “least contaminated” still weren’t clean.

So the bottom line is this: your olive oil may not be as clean as you think—and labels won’t tell you the whole story.

Until next time,

Kashif Khan

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