Back
5.1. Defining quality in olive oil 5.2. Regulatory and certification bodies regarding quality 5.3. Prevention of adulteration 5.4. Best practices for quality control 5.5. Future trends in quality and safety References
5.3. Prevention of adulteration
  • Common frauds regarding olive oil quality

Olive oil is a high-quality estimated production. Market considered to be an authentic and important part of culture in the Mediterranean region. The price, taste and quality depend on the origin of olives and the natural conditions of their growth. The package which the consumer is buying has an indication of origin and quality. The retail of olive oil is being controlled ongoing by the authorities and following each stage of production. Nevertheless, cases with adulteration and fraud related to olive oil production are present on the market. The olive oil market is considered to have a high price, as this year of 2025 the market is experiencing a struggle. The main struggle is the weather conditions and climate change, as previously underlined in the challenges of quality. The companies of the olive oil industry are currently expecting the harvest season, that would be one of the solutions for stabilising the market. Common adulteration of olive oil is targeting the high-quality and price - extra virgin olive oil. Hence, adulteration is a blending of the olive oil with cheaper oil, also mislabeling the low-quality (also cheaper but sold as high price oil), as well false geographic origin claims on packages. Due to occurring cases of adulteration, the negative consequences impacting the economy, loss of trust and can initiate health issues.

  • Detection methods

For the detection of and adulteration of olive oil the EU adopted the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 of 29 July 2022 supplementing Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards marketing standards for olive oil. The above-mentioned regulation presented the characteristics of olive oil quality. Specifications of the established standard of olive oil consider the:

  • Quality characteristics: acidity, organoleptic characteristics and fatty acid ethyl esters etc.
  • Purity characteristics: fatty acid compositions, sterol compositions and waxes.
  • The year of harvesting indicated on package
  • Chemical testing, also UV absorption possibility
  • Further data on chemical indications presented in regulation, specifically in Annex I Characteristics of olive oil.

Characteristics for olive oil quality are also consulted and provided by the International Olive Council. Cooperative agreements established for a comprehensive framework between the IOC and EU on olive oil quality. The cooperation also includes the authorities on quality control, types of GI and protected by international/bilateral agreement. Complex of chain frameworks assist with specific data and prevention for fraud.

  • Actions to prevent fraud

Established by the EU system of certifications and labelling provides the data about country origin of the product. In general, there are three geographical indicators. Each of them mainly assures the geographical origin of the food and wine but also spirit drinks. Geographical indicators include:

Protected designation of origin (PDO),

Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and

Geographical Indication (GI).

At the same time, included the Traditional specialty guarantee (TSG), which highlights the traditional aspects of the product and relates it to its origin. Other types for quality assurance provided by the EU include the terms: Mountain product and the EU outermost region. Another type available via private route of certification also consulted with EU layers following the guidelines. For the reason of common frauds, those certifications were provided with further established protection. It means, in general, for receiving an indicator, the manufacturer first has a consultation with the EU pointed authority. The indications are present in the GIview webpage. The webpage has included the official EU member states languages. As well the information provided for each product contains:

  • product type
  • country origin
  • product category
  • type of certification
  • file number
  • basis of protection
  • priority date
  • status
  • legal instrument of protection
  • entry into force
  • country authorities

In general, the access to presented by GIview web page data is available without any restrictions. The rights of the mane are protected also under international agreement as designated in information about the product. As for foreign origin companies, it is also possible to register in the database. The registration followed international agreements or bilateral agreements with non-EU states. For the countries that applied and entered the market internally in the EU, consultations are available via the eAmbrosia platform. While for both EU origin and non-EU origin companies GIview is an available option for further rights protection. Including under the international agreements.

Within the EU applied also the intellectual property rights, which are one of the possibilities for essential protection of name, labelling and as well quality provided by brand. Particularly could be one of the key points for prevention of fraud and adulteration (in context of olive oil).