Why Food Brands Use Different Oils to Season Their Products
The type of oil used to season a product can have just as much impact as the seasoning blend itself. While traditional oils like canola, soybean, and palm have long been the industry standard, more brands are now turning to alternative oils—like avocado oil—to meet evolving consumer preferences.
Whether you’re creating indulgent snacks or aiming for a better-for-you product line, the choice of oil plays a central role in product development, flavor, shelf life, and market appeal.
The shift toward better-for-you oils
Over the past year, demand for healthier oils has grown significantly. As consumers scrutinize ingredient lists and seek out snacks with clean labels, the oil used for seasoning has become a focal point. Avocado oil, in particular, is gaining popularity for its perceived health benefits, such as a high smoke point, heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, and minimal processing.
This shift isn’t limited to niche markets. Large CPG brands and challenger brands alike are reformulating SKUs to replace conventional oils with options like avocado, sunflower, or olive oil. These better-for-you oils often help position snacks as natural, premium, or clean-label—making them more attractive in health food stores, wellness-focused online shops, and club stores like Costco that feature product callouts on front-of-pack labeling.
In this way, oil selection becomes a marketing decision as much as a formulation one.
Oil isn’t just a carrier—it’s a key flavor enhancer
Oil serves a dual role in snack seasoning. Not only does it help seasoning stick to the product surface (whether it’s chips, crackers, or pretzels), but it also contributes to the mouthfeel and taste. Different oils offer distinct sensory experiences
Avocado oil adds a light, buttery flavor and supports a health-forward product positioning.
Sunflower oil is clean and neutral, letting bold seasonings like barbecue or dill pickle shine through.
Olive oil adds a fruity, savory note and works well with Mediterranean-style or gourmet snack flavors.
Oils also play a critical role in how seasoning adheres to the product. Without the right oil-to-seasoning ratio and application technique, seasoning can fall off in the bag, leading to an uneven eating experience and lower perceived quality. That’s why it’s important for food brands to work with a co-packer who understands the functional differences between oil types.
Tailoring oil choice to your product goals
Different snacks require different oil characteristics, depending on the end goal:
Flavor-first products may benefit from oils that enhance or complement bold seasonings.
Health-conscious SKUs often prioritize oils with a better fatty acid profile, lower processing, or non-GMO sourcing.
Shelf-stable items require oils that resist oxidation to maintain freshness and appearance over time.
Cost-sensitive SKUs may stick with traditional oils but explore blends or minimal application to control spend.
Some brands even offer oil-specific product lines—like “avocado oil chips” versus “classic kettle chips”—to cater to multiple audiences and price points. The versatility of oil application allows you to segment your offering based on customer needs and retail channel.
Sustainability and sourcing: a growing concern
Consumers today are more aware of not just what ingredients go into their snacks, but how those ingredients are sourced. Conventional oils like palm and soybean are often associated with deforestation, heavy pesticide use, or GMO production. While some brands still use these oils due to cost-effectiveness, others are switching to more sustainable alternatives to align with ESG goals.
Better-for-you oils such as organic sunflower, high-oleic safflower, and avocado oil are now being marketed as “sustainably sourced,” “non-GMO,” or “cold-pressed.” These claims resonate with buyers who are looking to make environmentally conscious choices.
Working with a co-packer who understands the nuances of sourcing and labeling oils appropriately ensures your product can carry those sustainability claims without risk.
The co-packing advantage: scaling with specialty oils
Applying oil to snacks at scale may sound simple, but it’s a precise operation—especially when working with premium or sensitive oils like avocado oil. These oils may require specific temperature controls, handling procedures, or regulatory documentation to preserve their quality and avoid degradation.
At Econo-Pak, we’re equipped to handle both conventional and specialty oils in high-volume production runs. Our dedicated seasoning lines are designed to:
Evenly apply oil and seasoning to a wide variety of dry food formats
Maintain product integrity and texture throughout the process
Prevent flavor transfer between products with rigorous cleaning procedures
Meet food safety and quality assurance standards with full traceability
We routinely season products such as chips, pretzels, puffed snacks, crackers, and rice-based snacks using oil-and-dry-blend methods. Our team can help test oil types, optimize run speeds, and recommend seasoning approaches that improve product adhesion and consistency.
Whether you’re looking to reformulate an existing product or launch a new line featuring avocado oil or other health-conscious ingredients, we offer the technical expertise and scalable capacity to help you bring it to market quickly and efficiently.
Explore our full seasoning capabilities to learn how we can support your next product run.
Why seasoning flexibility matters in a changing market
The snack industry is evolving rapidly. Retailers are asking for cleaner labels. Shoppers are reading the backs of packages. And brands are under pressure to differentiate themselves in crowded categories.
In this environment, flexibility matters. Brands need a co-packer who can:
Adjust to changing oil preferences and regulatory requirements
Scale production up or down without compromising consistency
Provide insights into seasoning trends and consumer expectations
Collaborate on pilot runs and R&D for emerging oil types
That’s where Econo-Pak stands out. We work with food brands that need more than just a production line—we act as a true partner in product development, packaging, and scaling.
Oil choice is brand choice
The oil you choose for seasoning your snacks is more than a technical detail—it’s a strategic brand decision. As consumer demand continues to grow for better-for-you products, oils like avocado oil are becoming essential to standing out on the shelf and meeting modern expectations.
At Econo-Pak, we’re proud to help brands bring those products to life. From sourcing and seasoning to packaging and scaling, our team is here to support your growth—whether you’re entering a new channel or expanding an existing line.
Explore our contract food manufacturing services to see how we can season your snacks for success.
Let's start scaling.
Is your demand outpacing your ability to package your own product? Then consider outsourcing with Econo-Pak.
With over 40 years of experience working with both small brands and Fortune 500 companies, we are capable of handling your specific dry food product.
Get in touch with our team for a fixed-price quote for your project.
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