The popularity of coconut oil has skyrocketed in recent years. It seems as though everyone is starting to realize what traditional South Pacific cultures with virtually no heart disease knew for centuries: Â coconut oil is one of the healthiest fats on the planet and is a boon to health when plentiful amounts are present in the diet.
Even Dr. Oz recommends coconut oil. When a TV medical doctor is extolling the virtues of coconut oil, you know it has well and truly gone mainstream!
The problem is that good quality virgin coconut oil is not particularly inexpensive. And with more and more budget conscious families demanding coconut oil, the big box wholesalers like Costco have been faced with a dilemma – how best to capitalize on the coconut oil frenzy while keeping the price dirt cheap.
I’ll admit that I’ve been suspicious of the big box wholesaler brands of coconut oil for quite awhile. The price just didn’t jive with the price I knew to be necessary to ensure a quality, pure product.
It seems that evidence is now emerging that my suspicions have been justified.
Mary M. messaged me on my Facebook page just yesterday complaining about the big jar of Costco coconut oil (picture above).  She writes:
“I just opened and began using a big container of coconut oil (got it at Costco) that I’ve had for maybe 3 months and it has sat on my pantry shelf (outside in my garage, I live in Texas so it’s gotten hotter than 100 degrees).
It smells like burned marshmallows, or maybe the inside of a pumpkin on Halloween. Since I can’t find any web sites that describe the smell (other than “yucky” and “very, very bad”) for rancid coconut oil, could you please help me out? I can’t stand to put it on my face….but can I still cook with it?”
Absolutely not.
You don’t want to ever use, cook with, or put on your skin an oil that smells bad!
Mary’s email about her jar of Costco coconut oil raised two big red flags to me. First of all, I’ve been using coconut oil and virgin coconut oil for many years and I have never had it go off, even when kept for a year or two in my garage where the temperature easily reaches a 110-120F on humid August afternoons.
Coconut oil is an extremely stable oil and should never have gone bad such as what Mary M. experienced, provided it is pure, 100% coconut oil and it was filtered properly so that none of the coconut protein was left in the oil.
The second red flag about this Costco coconut oil was the wording of the label. Â There is no such thing as “extra virgin coconut oil”. Â It is either refined coconut oil or virgin coconut oil. A friend of mine who is the owner of a company that is a quality purveyor of virgin coconut oil had this to say:
“… any product that uses the term ‘extra virgin’ and it does not pertain to olive oil is using the term outside its definition… Trying to market something that does not exist.”
Does this mean use of the misleading term “extra virgin coconut oil” indicates an inferior product? Â Not necessarily. Â It is simply a red flag that further investigation to ensure a quality product is required particularly if the product is found on a shelf at Costco or other large retailer for a price that is too good to be true.
Why Inexpensive Costco Coconut Oil is Likely of Poor Quality
There are a couple of potential reasons why Mary M’s Costco coconut oil went bad.
First of all, it might not have been 100% pure coconut oil at all.
Not pure coconut oil? Not so far fetched. This is what the olive oil industry has been doing for years, blending cheaper oils with extra virgin olive oil and marketing it as pure extra virgin olive oil. Since the majority of the oil is indeed “pure” extra virgin, they get away with labeling it as such even though other cheaper usually rancid oils are present. However, what restaurants do is even worse. Most use “olive oil blends” for cooking that are actually 75% canola oil and only 25% olive oil. If you ask them what they use for cooking, most in my experience will simply respond “olive oil” even when this is not really true.
If Mary M’s Costco coconut oil had vegetable oils or cheaper hydrogenated palm oil blended in, even if organic and in small amounts, it would be prone to going off sitting in a hot pantry for a few months causing the entire jar to stink after awhile.
Another possibility is that the oil was improperly filtered and is inferior quality coconut oil subject to rancidity as a result. Â My friend mentioned earlier who is the owner of a company that sells quality virgin coconut oil had this to say when I asked him about Mary’s coconut oil problem and how it could possibly go rancid:
“The only thing I have seen is during the filtering process. Â If they run it too fast or do not change the filters, one can get pieces of coconut (protein) in the product. Â You will not see it other than with time you might see a slight change in color on the bottom of the container. Â And this product can culture at the bottom of the container and it will have a culture smell.”
Another friend who also owns a company that sells high quality virgin coconut oil had this to add:
“It is possible that it was not 100% Coconut Oil. However, I suspect that it was just very old oil and not fresh. Since there is so much demand for Coconut Oil, fresh lots will be sold for money and may not be available at discount stores.”
Was Mary’s Costco coconut oil cut with a small percentage of cheaper oils to boost manufacturer and/or coconut oil reseller profits, poorly filtered causing the coconut protein bits to “culture” the oil, or just old, manufacturer’s defect oil?
It’s anybody’s guess, but one thing is for sure.  It was not fresh, high quality Grade A coconut oil. Good quality, pure coconut oil that has been properly filtered does not go bad in a hot 100F pantry even if in a plastic tub.  Cheaply priced coconut oil at a discount store runs the risk of being old, improperly filtered (manufacturer’s defect) and not the best choice for your health.
Is it a high risk? Â Maybe, maybe not. Â There’s certainly not enough data to confirm one way or the other at this point. As for me, I’m personally not willing to trust a huge corporation to properly source my healthy fats – the fats that build my children’s brain and support their immune function.
The lesson to be learned from Mary’s experience from my perspective is that you get what you pay for whether it be coconut oil or any other food item. Buying coconut oil at Costco, Walmart or some other big box retailer that bases stocking decisions primarily on low price obtained via buying huge quantities at once is a big risk that what you get is going to be poor quality coconut oil that is either potentially blended with cheap oils or is a Grade B, poorly filtered product. Cheap oil that is subject to rancidity and loaded with free radicals risks your health.
It may look and smell fine when you open the jar, but the real test is does it stay looking and smelling fine in a hot pantry or garage after several months?
You can’t tell just by looking at it or tasting it that is 100% virgin coconut oil that has been properly filtered.
Just like with extra virgin olive oil, the only way to ensure a quality product is to buy from a quality small business, not a big box retailer like Costco that buys large amounts of inventory from manufacturers and dumps it on the consumer market at ultra cheap prices. Â While you may get a decent product for a cheap price some of the time, I personally am not willing to take the chance with my healthy fats – the most critical aspect of Traditional Diet – that it will be a quality purchase 100% of the time like what would happen if I bought from a small, trusted producer.
Anything can happen and frequently does as a food item makes its way through the Industrial Food Distribution System!
UPDATE: Since this article was published in June 2013, dozens of other consumers have emailed me with stories of rock bottom priced, poor quality coconut oil being purchased not just at Costco, but other Big Box retailers. Â Buyer beware!
Sarah, The Healthy Home Economist
More Information
Coconut Oil May Not Be Right for You
MCT Oil: The Coconut Oil Dregs
As in “she,” I mean the person with the “rancid” jar.
So, here is the deal. I usually research the brands that I purchase, but in this case, I didn’t. I’m am now using Carrington Farms Coconut and have no problem with it. Yes, it was at a lower price at Costco and I took a chance. I usually spring for Dr. Bronner’s or another brand at my local natural foods store. I’ve been using coconut oil for a few years now and have experienced many brands. This particular brand, for me, reacts like any other quality brand that I’ve tried. I’m really curious about this now because I found this post (http://www.evolvingwellness.com/essay/how-to-choose-a-coconut-oil-comparing-best-and-worst-brands) posted back in 2011. She actually contacted the company and spoke with them and posted it as one of her “recommended” brands. Now, I don’t know how reliable this source is. I’m not familiar with the website, but it might be possible that she got an “off” product or batch. I’m not familiar with this company, but I might call and speak with them. If there actually is an issue with the product, I’d like my money back. If not, and it is really a quality brand – I’d like to know. I have 3/4 of a jar left.
Same goes for olive oil. The stuff I bought at costco a month ago was bad. Don’t go cheap when it comes to nice oils.
Cheap price = cheap oil.
Or maybe an enormous retailer gets a BETTER PRICE from the supplier, because they, you know, buy truckloads more of the stuff, and then they pass the savings along to their customers. Sheesh!
agreed!
What a shortsighted statement.
What is “cheap price”? I get a wonderful highest quality oil from Wilderness Family – an acknowledged top seller of all things coconut – for a great price in five gallon buckets. They are much cheaper than Radiant Life or Tropical Traditions. Does that mean their oil is “cheap”? They buy the best and pass on savings for less. You also endorsed Nutiva. I get 74 ounces from COSTCO for $21.95. Pretty cheap in the coconut oil world, but certainly not a cheap oil!
So…..maybe Costco should raise their price and be done with all this nonsense!
Again, I would say that isn’t necessarily the case in this instance. Costco makes their money from membership fees and services, not from buying junk and marking it up. Their price really isn’t that far off of other oils, and if you consider that they probably don’t make much (if any) profit from it, then it’s not really that “cheap”. Call the company and find out before you call it “cheap”.
Except in testing, the organic Costco brand EVOO was one of the only ones that was actually pure olive oil. I would like to see some testing and not just assumption.
I think Costco is pretty scrupulous overall myself.
Question. If there is no such thing as “extra virgin” coconut oil why does Radiant Life sell it? And, why do most reputable companies sell it under this term?
I will email them and ask. I know Kathy and Norm LeMoine well and consider them friends. Their product is top notch .. I buy a number of items from Radiant Life myself … not sure why they are using the word “extra” in there when it doesn’t mean anything.
I have the Carrington farm one in my basement. I haven’t experienced any off smells yet. I also would like to know for sure if it is cut with vegetable oil. I have used Nutiva. Is this believed to be a good brand?
Basements are cool, not hot usually aren’t they?
Carrington Farms is an excellent brand.
http://www.evolvingwellness.com/essay/how-to-choose-a-coconut-oil-comparing-best-and-worst-brands
If they are an excellent brand, why are they dumping manufacturer cast off coconut oil at Costco that goes bad and can harm people’s health?
So one person gets a off oil, well states she has means the whole company is bad. This is poor thinking. What if the person who had the jar contaminated it, it was half full, what if her sense of smell is off? Who stated it was a cast off. It seems like someone is out to sell…
Good golly! What a ridiculous thing to write. If you have EVIDENCE of “dumping” and “cast off” goods and “harming people’s health” I assume you would have put it in your post, but it’s not there. All you have is ONE anecdote and a boatload of conjecture. It’s pretty insane to post such attacks on two reputable companies, on the basis of ONE woman’s supposed problem (I mean, how do we know Mary had a problem at all? How do we know Mary even exists? You see how your style of post can create problems?) IMO you’ll be lucky if Costco does not sue you for this. Also IMO when you’re IN a hole, it’s best to stop digging. Instead, you’re digging in your heels here (apologies for the mixed metaphor) and it’s absurd.
Wow, I had the same thoughts,except not the sue thing.
I’m finding inconsistencies here, as well, although I know you don’t mean to, Sarah.
#1 When I look up the difference between extra-virgin and virgin olive oil, it comes down to quality of flavor and acidity – the processing is the same. Also, all the websites clearly stated that the words are not regulated in the US at all.
#2 My Costco sells Nutiva which labels it as “extra-virgin”. You seem to be red-flagging a brand that you say is good. When they could just mean that it’s a good-tasting less acidic product.
Just my thoughts.
It seems that a number of brands are using a meaningless term meant to generate sales rather than communicate accurate information to consumers. Tropical Traditions and Green Pasture Product do not use this term and I have purchased repeatedly from these sources in the past. Radiant Life is in the process of changing their label to be more accurate. I would suggest that you contact your favorite brand and complain of false advertising if the word “extra” is used on yours.
OMG!! Costco does NOT sell cast offs! I work for a company that sells product to Costco, and have been in meetings with the actual Costco product buyers. Costco has very high standards for what they will sell, and it is very difficult to get a product onto their shelves. It’s even harder to get a product to be regularly stocked, like this CCO. Costco does not sell any kind of “cast off”, “dumped” or “leftover” products. In most cases they insist that manufacturers product SPECIAL lots just for Costco, so you can only get the best version of a product there.
Unfounded Costco slandering aside, my family has been buying this CCO at Costco for more than a year, and I have been very happy with it. It is as high quality as any CCO I have used. I am GLAD it is affordable for my family so I can use as much as I need/want without it breaking my budget. I have never had a problem with rancidity, flavor, etc.
Sarah – have you ever talked to a Costco buyer? Do you know how their business model works? How they negotiate pricing? Costco is not in the market for buying subpar cast offs that is for sure – My husband is a produce buyer for Costco and I know exactly what goes into what they buy, how they buy it and they have far superior expecations than any other retailer. I think if you had a clear understanding of how they work and their extrememly LOW profit margin (hence why they pass that price on to the consumer NOT because they are buying sub-par quality) Costco is know for having the best buyers, demading quality AND pricing and build good relationships of integrity with their suppliers.
A BIG solution to this oil issue would have been to simply returned it to Costco for a full refund and then asked the buyer directly – they would have worked with the customer and solved an issue and it it came to their attention they had a supplier goig against Costco’s business model and agreement – they would drop them in an instant. Costco has NOTHING to hide that is for sure and they take care of each and every member – hence why they charge a membership (not to make a ton of money…that is a whole different subject as to the philosophy of the membership cost…not about the money as anyone with an executive membership would know, you get your annual memebership and then some back each year with your reward check)
I think you are making some assumptions about “dumping manufacturer cast off coconut oil”. I don’t think this is true, nor do I believe you have actually done the research. Opinion is fine, but make sure you are not stating it as fact. You are making a statement here that seems like you are stating a fact…which it is not…and most likely not even true.
The reader who shared about the coconut oil from Costco can take it back and get a full refund. Costco has an amazing return policy. The lack of the quality of the product should be brought to their attention. If people don’t tell them they won’t know!
Yes, that is what she told me she was going to do.
And if they find many customers are having the same problem, it will disappear from their shelves, I’m guessing. Our Costco sells Nutiva as well– a good brand, as Sarah mentioned. And you can get it at Costco for about the same as you’d pay if you found it on sale at Amazon or Vitacost, only without having to cross your fingers and hope to buy while there is a sale on. Costco is a good company, and if they’re sourcing VCO from a company producing a low quality product, they’re going to find out eventually via customer response and fix it.
I really hope that Costco doesn’t stop selling their coconut oil. I have been stocking up because I am afraid they will stop selling it. It is good stuff and I love being able to have access to it. My other choice is the regular processed stuff at Walmart. I would rather be able to buy the organic coconut oil from Costco.
Yeah, I’m with others on this… while some Costcos (and other stores) may sell ripoffs, not all do and Nutiva is definitely the most popular coconut oil brand at Costcos. You might want to edit your post.
I’m with Pam… I buy Nutiva coconut oil at Costco – the same brand I researched and scrutinized when the brand you recommended was only available in my area by ordering online.
You can always call Nutiva and ask them if they have a contract with Costco. They should be able to answer your questions.
I get mine at Costco and I bet many, many people do. Mine carries Nutiva brand and I just checked and it says extra virgin. Humph.
Keep using it. Many use the term Extra Virgin without knowing there is only one pressing for coconut oil. It is not deceptive – just inadvertent.
Nothing is inadvertent in advertising. It is all conscious with every effort made to sway consumer buying decisions.
Including, I imagine, in the companies you recommend. (A completely legitimate business strategy.) But somehow they are not up for criticism for trying to mislead us. Your inconsistency is troubling.
Meanwhile, ‘Buy Radiant Life EXTRA Virgin Coconut Oil from my sponsor!’
Sarah, so is Nutiva “Organic Extra Virgin Coconut oil” okay to use or not? Thank you!
I have had a jar of Nutiva coconut oil for almost three years, which I bought at Whole Foods, and it is still good. It also says “extra virgin.”
How awful! The brand I buy at Costco is Nutiva–and it seems as similar in taste and smell and properties as the highest quality I have bought via internet and Whole Foods. The label says 1–) extra-virgin, unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil. I hope that’s right!
Nutiva is a good brand .. I would watch out for the coconut oil resellers with incorrect labels such as above. If you want to double check, put a jar out in the hot garage for the summer and see how it goes. It should stay perfect.
Remember there is no “extra virgin” coconut oil. I would be suspicious if the label says this as they are trying to sell something that doesn’t exist.
Thats funny, I clicked on the link above and this is what it took me to, Radiant Life Extra Virgin Coconut Oil…maybe they think extra virgin just a title that people are familiar with.
It doesn’t say ‘extra virgin’. It says, “True Virgin”.
Nutiva labels theirs as “extra virgin” as well.
I’ve noticed that most companies label their oil as “extra virgin”…even ones that ARE high quality. In fact, the only one I’ve come across that doesn’t use that term is Tropical Traditions. I don’t think that incorrect marketing is the best way to determine quality. I’ve bought large tubs of Nutiva at Costco ever since they started selling them there and have been completely happy. The price is great too. Maybe that was just an off brand, but you can always return anything you aren’t happy with.
Sarah,
I’d appreciate some clarification. You linked to Village Green Network and give readers the assumption that they are trusted. However, their “Perfect Cocunut Oil” has the label extra virgin.
I noticed what Michele saw, too! This information seems very contradicting. You post a link for a company that is selling extra virgin coconut oil but say that’s a bad sign. And you say Nutiva is a good brand but how are they are a good brand if they sell extra virgin coconut oil? I thought you said company’s who use this term are probably up to no good? This is all very confusing and isn’t helping people like me looking to make the right choice.
Thanks for bringing this up. I will ask Kathy and Norm of Radiant Life about it. Their Organic VCO is very good quality .. they are sticklers for the best of the best. Also, please note that I said the use of “extra” was a red flag. It doesn’t mean the product is trash. However, if a product uses the word “extra”, it’s a cheap priceand is at Costco, then I would definitely not buy it! Radiant Life’s product is a price that is typical for high quality organic VCO from other reputable companies, plus it is a small business and their items do not go through the industrial food complex. Being a discerning consumer and being able to read the gray areas is important as fooling the consumer is an art form as practiced by Big Food.
Got an email reply from Radiant Life .. they realize that “extra virgin coconut oil” is not an accurate label and have plans to change it soon to not use the word “extra”.
Just for the record…I have that same Carrington Farms jar from Costco, and have had it for several months on my shelf. I also live in TX and turn off the AC when I leave my apartment. It has not gone off…still has that wonderful “movie popcorn butter” taste and smell as when I first bought it. I have often wondered, though, how they can get the price so low, and I will be intrigued to find out any discoveries about this brand.
I, too, have been using Carrington Farms Coconut Oil from Costco. I’ve never had it go bad or smell bad even after sitting in my pantry for a long time. Now, however, I use it up so fast that there is no time for it to go bad. I can’t afford the more expensive jars. This article is very disconcerting. Has anyone contacted Carrington Farms to ask about the quality of the coconut oil? Would be interested to know.
Do your research. For once.
Costco sells Kerrygold grassfed butter, quality grassfed cheeses, Copper River salmon and decent organic produce. They’re a great resource for larger families trying to eat better quality food. Their olive oil was one of few found to be labeled correctly during the adulteration scandal. Their organic coffee is of excellent quality and is fair trade. They don’t sell junk; they don’t sell odd lots; their quality standards are very high. Their handling and stocking procedures are better than most, because they have the resources to devote to getting it right and have some of the best employees in the business. They also pay employees extremely well and offer great benefits.
Besides, burnt marshmallows and the inside of a pumpkin are two smells as different from each other as they are from coconut oil. Who knows what your reader actually smelled? You trashed a good company with a bunch of bogus, unfounded allegations based on… what, really?
You say here that if its sold at Costco that is a red flag, but I have found that Costco is a good company that carries quality products and treats their employees better than most other companies. I’m not sure what you have against Costco, but it sounds like you don’t like them much. If a product is bad, that’s one thing, but it doesn’t make it a bad product just because Costco sells it. In fact, they will refund any product that a customer is not happy with, and they carry more organics than most grocery stores. I think you are disparaging a really decent company.
They have now since “changed” it on their website. I don’t see the Extra Virgin anymore.
I haven’t scrolled to the bottom of the comments, so maybe someone else addressed this… but the easiest way to get to the bottom of it is just to ask. Costco definitely listens to its consumers. If the person who discovered the rancid oil brings it back to Costco, she can talk to the store manager, and if the store manager doesn’t know, then she can call the Home Office about the actual content of the coconut oil. They will dig into it for her. costco’s number one priority is customer service. Mati is right, that they do sell a variety of excellent real food products, especially beneficial for those who don’t live in areas that they can get these products locally sourced. I love your website, I’m not saying you are wrong, but the surest way to find out is to just ask, then decide. Costco doesn’t make money on most of its products; they profit from the membership fees. That’s how they offer bulk products cheaply…they are very interested in high quality merchandise/food.
I also bought the nutiva brand at costco and coincidentally noticed just yesterday saw that there’s a brownish discoloration at the bottom of the jar and I had no idea how to explain it. I was a little worried and I’m glad I saw this article! Do you think it shouldn’t be used anymore when this happens?
More cheap and Grade B poorly filtered coconut oil!
How do you KNOW that? She may have used a scoop or spoon with some contamination on it. You have NO way to “know” what you so emphatically assert, and it does you no credit to write these. I’ve learned a lot from you over the years, from issues you have actually researched. This whole post and your inadequate responses are not up to those standards.
The article quotes an owner of company that sells Grade A virgin coconut oil who states that discoloration at the bottom of the jar is an indication or poorly filtered oil.
Hannah says the brand she bought was Nutiva. In another comment Sarah you mention that Nutiva is a good brand. So is it a good brand or is it a cheap, grade B, poorly filtered brand? Our Costco sells the Carrington Farms Brand. I have used Tropical Traditions for years but recently have tried the Carrington Farms and have been happy with it. My second jar sat in our pantry (in Southern California) for about 4 months and it still smells and tastes fresh and wonderful. Since Costcos in different areas seem to be selling different brands is it possible they are using smaller suppliers to keep the quality higher? I see Trader Joe’s do a similar thing. My Father in Law is a wine importer and distributor but I can buy the very same wines and at a better price at Trader Joe’s that he purchases wholesale. It’s because Trader Joe’s buys in such large volume, even from a small winemaker.
Costco is able to sell their items for such a low price not only by buying in volume but also because they make a large amount of the company profits through the selling of the memberships.
Agreed Melinda. I’ve learned a lot too, but in recent months the quality of the posts here has really declined and it’s gotten into blatant advertising at times.
I have had some brown coloration at the bottom of some of my jars/buckets of Tropical Traditions coconut oil! It still tasted fine and smelled fine. I seriously doubt that this is an indication of poor quality coconut oil, as their coconut oil is very high quality. In fact, the Nutiva that I get from Costco has none of that, ever (we’ve purchased several containers). I have always read that Nutiva is a good brand, and I’ll continue to assume that it is, until I have more proof than this article and comments. The only times that I’ve had any coconut oil go bad is when I wasn’t careful about keeping it clean (let something splatter into an open jar, or used a spoon with something on it to scoop out the coconut oil). I strongly suspect that the term “extra virgin” in relation to coconut is just the companies giving the customers what they want to see. I doubt that there’s more to it than that.
Sarah, I’m a little confused. You said, “Nutiva is a good brand”, yet here you said that they are” cheap and grade B and poorly filtered”. As Hannah is talking about the NUTIVA brand she bought at Costco. Which is it? I’ve been buying Nutiva for years in 1 gallon buckets and have never seen any such discoloration.
So now nutiva is cheap and poorly filtered? hmmmm. It seems like with any brand (even high priced ones like Nutiva) this could happen if you get a bad bottle or contaminate it yourself. Sarah, please stop flip flopping on issues. First you said Nutiva was a good brand, now you call it cheap and poorly filtered because one reader says she saw brown spots on the bottom of her container? How do you know nobody has ever had this problem with Radiant Life coconut oil as well? And Nutiva is NOT cheap as far as price goes…You usually have very well researched articles but this one is all opinions of you and your friends/sponsors. Seems to me you are trying to sell your friend’s products and are upset that big discount stores are outselling them and taking their business…but this article just doesn’t have enough justification for me. Costco is a Godsend for people who do not live near a health food store or cannot afford your Radiant Life coconut oil. Cheap prices does not ALWAYS equal poor quality. You would just prefer people to buy from your Radiant Life friends and sponsors rather than big retailers….Remember who your audience is as this article and a few others I have read lately come across very snobby when you are trying to promote your sponsor’s products by dogging others based on one reader’s supposed experience.
My Costco sells Nutiva “extra virgin” coconut oil. Hmmm good or bad….taste, looks, and smells good to me.
For started, if everyone is putting Extra Virgin in their label even if it doesn’t exist, Its normal for others to follow suite to stay competitive. I would be more Weary of a site that specifically singled out a large company like Costco for their products. Costco is Extremely stringent with the selection of their products, they generally don’t sell crap. I have that same oil sitting in a cupboard on top of my fridge, Its become liquid because of the higher temperatures, And it’s been there for almost 1 year. It smells as awesome as it did the 1st day i bought it home. I would Ask myself why this site has posted an article knocking Costco’s coconut oil, with out any legitimate tests done on the oil in a lab. This is today’s reporting, anyone will post biased junk. Oh BTW, I bought some from a small outlet, and it was bleached, odorless and tasteless. FYI Costco is a reputable company. And double FYI to the lady that didn’t like her oil, take it back, I will assure you they will credit you. Because that’s how certain they are of their products.
Regards, from a happy Costco client.