Since 2009, it is mandatory to indicate the country of origin on the labels of Italian extra virgin olive oil
Everyone knows that Italian oil, meaning oil made from olives harvested in Italy, is one of the best foods to serve at the table due to its nutritional properties and the sensory experience it offers. But how can you recognize it?
Protecting Italian oil to safeguard consumers
Italy is one of the largest producers of extra virgin olive oil, and besides quantity, it’s the quality of Italian oil that makes a difference. For this reason, it is a highly sought-after product even abroad, with a constant increase in demand from the United States, Japan, and China. The renowned and sought-after organoleptic and nutritional properties of oil produced in Italy have also led to an increase in counterfeiting, causing much confusion on supermarket shelves. Scandals and often ridiculously low prices visible in the large distribution have led serious olive growers to strongly demand a solution that can protect them.
In addition to taking a stand against the European Union, each individual Italian oil producer has committed to a communication campaign aimed at explaining why oil produced in Italy, specifically packaged with olives grown in Italy, cold-pressed always in Italy, cannot be sold at a low price, but should have a price that reflects production costs. It has been important to connect consumers with the fields and mills by leveraging the potential of regions like Puglia, and specifically Salento, which have a strong tourist vocation. All this effort is bearing fruit as more families choose to protect their health by buying directly from the producer. Every consumer has the right to purchase what they desire based on their economic capabilities, but they must be able to choose, know what they are buying, and be aware that if Italian oil is offered in a mill at a price above 2-3 euros, it is not because the miller desires to earn more or get rich, but because it is necessary to cover production costs. These costs include cultivation expenses such as land clearing, irrigation when necessary, pruning, olive harvesting, transport to the mill, milling, and packaging. All this considering that one quintal of olives yields between 11 to 18 (rarely) kilograms of oil made in Italy.
Italian oil from the Schirinzi Oil Mill
Our agricultural and oil mill has been producing extra virgin olive oil in Puglia since 1963, with traceability certification thus providing a Made in Italy extra virgin oil with absolutely unmistakable sensory and organoleptic characteristics. Over time, we have expanded production by cultivating more hectares with different olive varieties. This allows us to offer the quality of oil produced in Italy, particularly in the Salento, but at different prices to meet everyone’s tastes. The varying price does not mean inferior quality, but rather that not all olive varieties have the same output in terms of quantity, allowing us to offer high-quality Italian oil at various price points.
It can be purchased directly at the company store or via online sales.
Here you can learn everything about the mandatory content of an extra virgin olive oil label.
ITALIAN OIL – EU ORIGIN OIL – NON-EU OIL
What are the differences?
Thanks to Regulation (EC) 182 of March 6, 2009, which modifies Regulation (EC) 1019/2002, it has become mandatory to indicate the origin of the olives used for producing virgin and extra virgin olive oil on labels across all countries in the European Community. In simple terms, this means that the label of authentic Italian extra virgin oil must include mandatory statements such as “obtained from Italian olives,” “obtained from olives cultivated in Italy,” or simply “Italian Product,” while mixtures from different origins will need to specify if they are:
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- “mixtures of community olive oils” (oils from third countries within the European Community, e.g., Italy and Greece)
- “mixtures of non-community olive oils” (oils from third countries outside the European Community)
- “mixtures of community and non-community olive oils” (oils from third countries both within and outside the European Community).
A good piece of news for the ingredient that truly makes a difference in Italian cooking: extra virgin olive oil.
A necessary measure to protect the Made in Italy guarantee, which also safeguards consumers (half of the oil used in Italy indeed comes from abroad) and helps to curb fraud and deceit. Packaging companies for such products must obtain the required recognition and maintain the Electronic Load-Discharge Register of oils, where entries for every type of oil coming in and going out will be logged, noting movements, provenances, and destinations of the respective virgin and extra virgin oils.
An ambitious but vital step to safeguard a product that is increasingly facing counterfeiting and to ensure traceability of the origin of virgin and extra virgin olive oil.
Buy the italian extra virgin olive oil on our shop
Now it’s up to you! Where do you prefer to buy the supply of Extra Virigin Olive Oil for your family in a conoscious way?