Consumers and businesses can protect themselves from fraud in the following ways, according to EFET:
– To purchase olive oil only from legal and, therefore, regulated retail outlets.
– Carefully examine the label of the olive oil they intend to purchase, which must include at least the following:
- the olive oil sales category (EXTRA VIRGIN, VIRGIN OLIVE OIL).
- the alphanumeric approval number of the standardization unit (EL-40-_ _ _).
- the contact information for the business owner.
– Avoid buying olive oil from street vendors (who do not have the required license) and unidentified sellers.
– Choose olive oil purchases made through e-commerce with particular care, from websites of producers or retailers that provide all the necessary guarantees for the sale of branded olive oil.
– Consumers should purchase branded olive oil in pre-packaged containers with a maximum capacity of 5 liters.
– Businesses (restaurants, hospitals, cafeterias, or other similar facilities) should purchase branded olive oil in pre-packaged containers of 5, 10, 20, 25, or up to 50 liters.
– Ensure that, upon receipt of the olive oil, they obtain the required tax receipts for the purchase.
– Carefully select their suppliers from among those who provide information that guarantees their reliability (business address,
production facilities, the validity of invoices and other supporting documents) and the legality of the purchase and sale process.
– Contact EFET directly by calling 11717 or through its website to file a report or complaint in the event of inadequate labeling, an enticing price, or abnormal organoleptic characteristics of the olive oil (taste, smell, color, etc.).
How to Spot Adulterated Olive Oil
The first and most important indication of adulteration in olive oil is its color and flavor. The color of olive oil is characteristic, and depending on the variety, it can range from light to dark green.
The most important indicator, however, is the taste and aroma. Oils adulterated with seed oils usually smell like French fries, especially when the adulteration involved sunflower oil.
Extra virgin olive oil has a distinctive fruity olive aroma, and its flavor is usually bitter or spicy, depending on its quality.
