The nationwide inspection of top quality olive oils revealed irregularities in 38 out of 56 entities – informs the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection. The products were questioned due to, among others, labeling errors, lack of fruit aroma or overestimating the product category.
“The commercial quality of olive oil is strictly regulated by law. During the inspection, inspectors checked the method of storing the oil, took samples for laboratory tests and verified its labeling,” the Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) reported.
The inspections were carried out in the last quarter of last year, checking stores, importers, and wholesalers. Olive oil was verified in 56 entities, finding irregularities in 38 (67.9%). The examination included organoleptic, physicochemical characteristics, and labeling.
Irregularities in olive oil
Olive oil was inspected for its organoleptic properties in 50 batches, of which 38 (76%) were found to have irregularities. In terms of physicochemical properties, 52 batches were inspected, of which 5 were questioned.
IJHARS emphasizes that the occurrence of organoleptic defects in the highest category olive oil is unacceptable and indicates that its class is lower than declared by the producer. A number of irregularities were also found in the composition of the products.
“Mainly the levels of parameters specified in the regulations were found to be exceeded, e.g. excessive content of stigmastadienes (compounds formed under the influence of temperature) and fatty acid ethyl esters,” the inspection explained.
The inspectors also paid attention to the labeling of the oil. In 50 of the 110 batches examined, irregularities were found, such as the name “extra virgin olive oil” for a lower category product, lack of information about the place of origin of the oil, too small font on the label or lack of information about the product's storage conditions.
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Sanctions for irregularities in olive oil
As a result of the irregularities found, inspectors issued 10 decisions imposing fines, 8 decisions prohibiting the sale of non-compliant goods, 4 decisions ordering withdrawal from trade, 2 penalty tickets and 13 non-inspection recommendations.
“The categories of olive oil are strictly regulated by law. One of them is extra virgin olive oil, which is 'the highest category of olive oil obtained directly from olives and exclusively by mechanical means'” – reminds IJHARS.
Main image source: Tomasz Plucinski