Almost half of olive oil is not really extra virgin. Monini and Bertolli the two best

Almost half of olive oil is not really extra virgin. Monini and Bertolli the two best

A test conducted on 15 extra virgin olive oils sold at the supermarket found that in some cases they are only "virgin" oils

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Extra virgin olive oil is one of the typical products of our country, a healthy and genuine food that is part of the Mediterranean diet. A new test, which analyzed and compared some well-known products, however, found that in some cases they are "virgin" olive oil (and not extra virgin). 





The new test of Il Salvagente magazine focused on 15 samples of extra virgin olive oil that he brought to the laboratory to evaluate some characteristics and understand if the quality of the oil was really that indicated on the packaging. In all cases, these were blends of EU origin, with the exception of Colavita oil (of EU and non-EU origin).

In addition to laboratory investigations, all the oils were also subjected to sensory analysis through panel tests to assess whether they were really extra virgin olive oils. The panel test was carried out by the tasting committee of the Chemical Laboratory of the Customs and Monopolies Agency of Rome.

We remind you that, by law, extra virgin olive oil must respect certain chemical parameters and precisely exceed the test panel test (mandatory since 1991), a tasting test carried out by accredited professionals, with the aim of assessing that the oil does not have organoleptic defects. In this case, even just a negative note, leads the oil to be classified from "extra virgin" to "virgin".

As Il Salvagente specifies, these are:

“A codified and repeatable test conducted by expert and trained evaluators who, for 30 years, have granted - or denied - the go-ahead for the sale of an extra virgin olive oil. Unfortunately, many deny the validity of the panel test and accuse it of being a subjective evaluation ".

Each sample, however, was analyzed under different aspects: possible presence of pesticides, acidity, peroxides, ethyl esters and concentration of phthalates.

The results

The test results showed that 7 out of 15 oils were not really extra virgin as stated. In practice, during the organoleptic test, they proved to have some defects that made them fall in category, therefore they belonged to virgin and non-extra virgin olive oils. 



This, specifies Il Salvagente, is not a risk for consumers but the issue must be evaluated from another point of view. Why do we have to pay 30-40% more for an extra virgin olive product that is actually not?

Some producers on which the test focused attention, assured that their oil was extra virgin at the time it was delivered to the points of sale and that something could have happened during the storage of the products.

But is this defense really credible? We do not know and it is not up to us to say it but what is certain is that, in the end, regardless of what happened to the oil, the consumer is the loser who pays for a product of a different quality than what is stated on the packaging.

Previously a test conducted by the same magazine had reached very similar results and from there a real judicial investigation had also started (later archived, only some companies for a subsequent complaint were sanctioned). It was 2015 but, evidently, the situation has not substantially changed since then.

And many times over the years we too have talked to you about the various cases of false extra virgin olive oils:

  • Extra virgin olive oil: the list of rejected brands
  • False extra virgin olive oil: here are the companies that do not pass the tests
  • The scam of olive oil sold as extra virgin. How to choose which one to buy?

As for the residues on pesticides, which were also found in some oils, the magazine specifies, they were well below the legal limits.

The best oils in the test

Fortunately, however, some brands come out well from the survey, among which there are Monini (Classic) and Bertolli (Fragrante) which, according to the results of the panel test, are actually extra virgin olive oils.



As we said, however, 7 brands were penalized by the tasting test. To know the complete results of the test and the oils that turned out to be only "virgin" and not "extra virgin", refer to the latest issue of Il Salvagente.

Source: Il Salvagente

Read also:

  • Extra virgin olive oil, hydrocarbons and plasticizers detected. The best and worst BRANDS
  • Olive oil: differences and how to choose the best
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