Italy proposes a new classification for olive oil

Rome – At a workshop organized by one of the main organization of olive oil associations of italian companies: Unaprol and from  Coldiretti also,  a request for a new category of extra virgin olive oil was lodged by the chair of Unaprol, David Granieri. The idea is to reduce the level of acidity of extra virgin olive oil from 0.8% to 0.5% to ensure higher quality oil and better counter fraud. To curb this phenomenon, Unaprol calls for the defense and strengthening of the IOC trade standard, which governs organoleptic assessment, or panel tests. “The request for a new classification of olive oils could be looked into as part of the procedures provided for in the next International Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives,” said Abdellatif Ghedira, the Executive Director of the International Olive Council. “The IOC standard is a tool that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of the market and demands for transparency and respect for consumers. A proposal must be officially presented to the Council of Members so that the Executive Secretariat can take the steps necessary to study the issue at hand in the next international olive oil and tables olives agreement.”