Olive oil fraud uncovered in Australia

by S. C.

Agricultural scientists with Industry and Investment NSW have played a crucial role in uncovering fraudulently labelled olive oils that have now been removed from supermarkets shelves.

Laboratory testing by Dr Rod Mailer’s team at the Australian Oils Research Laboratory at Wagga Wagga revealed two products labelled as olive oil actually contained canola oil and various levels of other refined oil.

“As a result of this work carried out in conjunction with the Australian Olive Association (AOA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the ACCC has had these oils removed from supermarket shelves,” Dr Mailer said.

In response to this action, two supermarket chains have also declared that olive oils they stock will now carry certificates verifying that they are in fact virgin olive oil and have been tested in Australia.