The Australian Olive Association is urging consumers to choose oils carrying the Certified Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil® logo, after recent retail testing revealed quality failures in many imported oils.
There is a simple way to know whether the extra virgin olive oil you are buying is of genuine quality: look for the certification logo on the bottle.
The Certified Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil® logo is part of the industry's OliveCare® code of practice and can only be used on products that pass quality testing. Approval is granted for each product and each harvest, assuring consumers that the oil is genuine extra virgin olive oil and complies with the Australian Standard for Olive Oils and Olive-Pomace Oils (AS5264-2011).
The Australian Olive Association (AOA), the peak industry body for olive growers, is highlighting the logo in response to recent olive oil quality test results, obtained as part of a national monitoring programme covering olive oils sold at retail and in the food service sector.
The results reinforce the importance of choosing certified Australian extra virgin olive oil, particularly at a time when consumers are increasingly alert to misleading food labelling and quality claims.
While previous rounds of testing have shown varying levels of compliance, the latest results reveal concerning failures to meet extra virgin olive oil quality standards, said AOA CEO Michael Southan.
"This is mainly about quality, or rather the lack of it. Many of the oils failed to meet the chemical parameters set by the Australian Standard, and many showed rancidity and other sensory defects. The difference was clear: the problems were found in imported oils, while the Australian samples delivered the quality consumers expect."
Southan said the ABC's recent investigation into fraudulent tomato labelling had put food fraud firmly in the consumer spotlight, making this the ideal time to provide reassurance about the quality of locally produced, certified extra virgin olive oil.
"Former ACCC chair Allan Fels recently said on radio: 'Consumers need to have complete confidence in the labels on the products they buy, but right now they can't.'"
"We want people to know they can trust an extra virgin olive oil that carries the Certified Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil® logo."
The Australian olive oil industry has built its reputation on quality, best-practice production and compliance systems that protect both consumers and producers. Local growers harvest close to home, process quickly and guarantee the quality of the bottled oil. The Certified Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil® logo makes this guarantee visible at the point of sale.
"That freshness and quality also means it delivers maximum health benefits, from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action to supporting brain health and helping prevent a wide range of major chronic diseases, benefits that only come from genuine, high-quality extra virgin olive oil. And when the bottle carries the Certified Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil® logo, you can trust that is exactly what it is," Southan said.
"As an industry, trust is our main goal. Australian producers sell Australian extra virgin olive oil, made from fresh, locally grown olives and minimally processed to preserve maximum quality. We do not try to mislead consumers by selling multi-origin blends labelled as Australian, and we have monitoring programmes in place so that, if anyone does, we can call it out."
Our aim is to protect both consumers and producers by ensuring that the value promised is the value sold. To achieve this, all brands and retailers must meet the same extra virgin olive oil standards, ensuring a fair and competitive market for everyone.
The message is simple: not all extra virgin olive oils are equal. Choose Australian extra virgin olive oil and look for the certification logo.
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