[ad_1]
This year, it identified 5 cases where, after detailed sensory testing of olive oil in accredited laboratories, experts classified the examined olive oil as inferior to that declared on the label and found fakes.
The SFVS examines the safety and quality of olive oil as one of the healthiest products every year. According to the monitoring plans of the European Commission, each country is obliged to carry out a certain investigation on olive oil, depending on its size and consumption. Lithuania is required to select 3 samples of olive oil each year, but the SFVS, having assessed the increasing risk of counterfeiting of the highest quality olive oil, in 2020 alone examined 10 samples.
It should be noted that researching the oil to determine its quality is complex and time consuming. Examining an olive oil sample can take several months and the cost of determining the chemical and sensory composition can reach 300 euros.
In Lithuania, it is not possible to carry out such tests in accredited laboratories of EU countries, for example, the samples selected for the analysis of the chemical parameters of olive oil in the domestic market are sent to the Eurofins laboratory in Germany, and the tests sensory oil are made in Greece. At that time, the laboratory of the National Institute for Veterinary and Food Risk Assessment in Lithuania evaluated free fatty acids, peroxide, acidity and other indicators of olive oil.
The results of this year’s survey showed that of the 10 olive oil samples examined, 5 did not meet the quality criteria: Italian extra virgin olive oil, Basso olive oil (packed in 1 liter each), oil only of extra virgin olive. Monini Classico olive oil (0.75 l) and Pietro Coricelli (1 l), extra virgin olive oil Font Oliva (0.75 l) from Spain and extra virgin olive oil imported from Spain by mechanical means, extracted only by mechanical means, “Anira” olive oil (0.75 l).
Although the producers had stated that the labeling of these olive oils was of the highest quality, the investigation revealed that such claims were false. The experts evaluated them as fakes. This olive oil has been sold in retail chains: Maxima, Rimi and Iki. Following the conclusions of the investigations, the seized batches of said oil were returned to the producers or destroyed.
Total for 2017-2020 In Lithuania, more than 20 olive oil samples were selected and analyzed in accredited European laboratories, of which up to 12 did not meet the requirements. The SFVS informed the European Commission and the competent authorities of the respective Member States about all cases of counterfeit oil marketed on the Lithuanian market in order to carry out inspections at oil production plants and find out the reasons for non-compliance with quality and counterfeiting.
Although the manufacturer is responsible for the safety and quality of the product, according to experts, part of the responsibility must also be assumed by the merchants who market these products. Several years of SFVS monitoring data suggest that traders do not fully guarantee the implementation of their own self-monitoring requirements, do not analyze or evaluate the quality of olive oil purchased from producers or suppliers in other countries and the reliability of producers or suppliers .
Traders must strictly control the safety and quality parameters of products purchased from suppliers. It is also the responsibility of traders to responsibly choose suppliers who guarantee the highest quality standards for olive oil, not just the most reasonable price, delivery time or quantities. In accordance with international recommendations and the self-monitoring systems of commercial companies, it is very important to regularly evaluate suppliers and ensure their reliability in practice.
According to SFVS, the number of olive oil counterfeiting cases has been increasing across the EU in recent years. In Europe, 29 cases of counterfeiting were detected, and in 2019 – already 44. Despite considerable efforts by EU Member States, systematic abuses have also been reported. For example, counterfeits of olive oil from Italian producer Pietro Coricelli supplied to the Lithuanian market were detected not only this year, but also in 2019. The Italian competent authority was informed, the Italian producer was sanctioned, but it was clear that he had not lasting changes in production. The SFVS will re-submit to the European Counterfeiting Commission.
According to experts, it is almost impossible for a consumer without special knowledge and skills to recognize that a product is fake. However, you may suspect that the product, for example, does not meet the specific characteristics or is of poor quality. In such cases, users must notify SFVS. Each report will be evaluated and, based on the information received, a detailed investigation will be carried out to identify the forgery.
[ad_2]
