Essential oil adulteration is as old as the extraction of these oils themselves. However, as the demand for natural essential oils rises, so does the alarming practice of essential oil adulteration. This intricate web of deception involves various grades and qualities of oils, making it increasingly challenging for consumers to discern the genuine from the adulterated. In this article, we explore the actual reach and gravity of this problem in world wide markets.
Grades of Essential Oils: Unraveling the Complexity
In the vast realm of essential oils, various grades exist, each with distinct characteristics and compositions. Understanding these grades is crucial for consumers to make informed choices and navigate the maze of potential adulteration. The scale ranges from 100% "Pure and Natural" (P&N) oils, the most expensive and unadulterated, to Near to Natural Oils (NNO) which are adulterated with natural components, then Reconstituted Oils (RCO) a combination of natural and synthetic ingredients all the way to Perfume Quality Oils (PQO) which is the cheapest grade and full with artificial components.
An industry reacts
Many vendors perceive adulteration as a necessity to sustain their business, considering the demands of cost, supply chain, and production perspectives. The issue lies not so much in selling lower grade oils as it lies in the fact that some vendors sell adulterated oils, misrepresenting them as P&N grade. This dishonesty creates confusion and deception for consumers seeking authentic and pure oils for their aromatherapy and wellness practices.
Markets are Flooded with Adulterated Essential Oils
Leading experts, Robert Pappas, PhD, and Prabodh Satyal, PhD, have unveiled startling estimates revealing that an astounding 80% of commercially available essential oils have fallen prey to adulteration.
To quote Prabodh Satyal, PhD, the Chief Scientific Officer of the Aromatic Plant Research Center (APRC)in Salt Lake City:
"In my experience, the market has all of the above-mentioned grades of oils, and most often, they are all sold as P&N. It is unfortunate, and many consider this adulteration as a misrepresentation or cheating of the end-user. If sellers are honest about the grade or quality of oil they are selling, I don’t see an issue with the process. It’s much more about being truthful in what is being sold."
Satyal estimates in one of his articles (1) that out of the estimated 80% share of adulterated oils on the market, more than two thirds are adulterated with techniques so sophisticated that they are able to evade currently available detection methods.
The Lavender Lavishness: An Example of Blatant Fraud
The lavender market illustrates a glaring example of fraud, where export data vastly exceed the actual distillation volumes. According to French export data, approximately 250 tons of supposedly "Fine Lavender" are exported annually. However, statistics from the association of Lavender growers in Volx tell a different story, revealing that less than 20 tons of actual Lavender are distilled. This significant disparity sheds light on a troubling fraud within the Lavender industry. (2)
Ironically, this deception becomes evident to those knowledgeable in reading gas chromatograms, which are purportedly recorded to showcase purity. Regrettably, the average local vendor or customer lacks the expertise to decipher these chromatograms and instead assumes their existence as a mark of authenticity. In reality, most Lavender chromatograms circulating in the marketplace provide evidence of adulteration rather than purity. The industry's lack of transparency and honesty has led to a widespread misrepresentation of Lavender oil, misleading unsuspecting consumers in their search for genuine and authentic products. It is crucial for consumers to remain vigilant and seek reputable sources that prioritise transparency and uphold the integrity of the Lavender essential oil market.
Sources:
(1) Essential Oil Adulteration and its Consequences: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/essential-oil-adulteration-its-consensquences-phd-dr-s-/?trackingId=sJ3IZH6zTEKyi330%2FFeu%2FQ%3D%3D
(2) Kurt Schnaubelt - The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils_ The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy-Healing Arts Press (2011)