MEDIA RELEASE   

Australian consumers can be more confident of the quality of the extra virgin olive oil they are considering buying after Australian Competition and Consumer Commission intervention.

After receiving information that a number of products sold in Australia as extra virgin olive oil may have been refined, adulterated with other oils (such as canola or rapeseed oil), or of poor quality, the ACCC conducted its own investigation.

Tests were commissioned on a selection of imported and locally produced oils labelled extra virgin olive oil against the International Olive Council's trade standard for olive oil.

The IOC standard defines extra virgin olive oil and sets criteria for purity and quality. While the standard is not mandatory, it is a useful and recognised guide for establishing the essential elements of genuine extra virgin olive oil.

The results of the ACCC tests indicated that three samples were not extra virgin olive oil, as defined by the IOC. They were:

• IGA Distribution Pty Ltd's corporate brand Isabella Extra Virgin Olive Oil which was sold at IGA-branded supermarkets throughout Australia
• Paese Mio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, imported by Calcorp (Australia) Pty Ltd and supplied exclusively through Coles supermarkets, and
• Aigeon 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil, imported by Basfoods (Aust) Pty Ltd and supplied mostly to continental delicatessens and restaurants.

 AOA President Paul Miller welcomed the ACCC action, saying that it was a direct result of the Australian Olive Association's proactive stance on identifying incorrectly labelled olive oil.

The full ACCC media release is available HERE.