Adulterated olive oils: find out how to avoid buying these products

One of the most common frauds found in adulterated olive oils is the dilution of extra virgin olive oil with another type of oil. Learn about other frauds and how to avoid them.

Olive oil is one of the most important foods for a healthy diet. One of the reasons is its good use in cooking and the benefits it brings to health. However, articles about adulterated olive oils are frequently reported.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), in 2021 alone, around 150 thousand bottles containing fraudulent products .

The main reasons for olive oil to be adulterated are the scarcity of the product, high demand and high raw material values. In other words, for some companies, especially bottling companies, it is cheaper to adulterate the liquid than to invest more in quality production.

In this article, you will find out what the most common adulterations are and how to avoid purchasing adulterated products. Follow along!

Most common tampering

Olive oil is the second most adulterated food product in the world . Therefore, it has different types of adulterations.

However, one of the most common is diluting extra virgin olive oil with some oil, which could be soybean, for example.

Another fraud that occurs is the mixing of all, or almost all, olive oils. Additionally, olive pomace oil can be added to the liquid.

By combining olive oils, the producer is violating the legislation, as these products cannot be sold together with the nomenclature of “extra virgin olive oil” or “virgin olive oil”.

Many olive oils can also be found adulterated with artificial colors and flavors to simulate the smell or color of the product.

Fraud in Brazil

Brazil is one of the countries that has the most fraudulent olive oils. Experts believe that this happens because the country does not yet have an evaluation standard similar to those found in other countries, such as Spain and Greece.

Furthermore, the huge increase in profit is among one of the reasons that olive oil is adulterated.

In the country, The bodies that work on food inspection , including olive oil, are the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).

Adulterated olive oils: Find out how to avoid

Nobody wants to buy one thing and get another, right? To help you avoid buying fraudulent olive oils, we have put together five golden tips for you to take a good product home. Check out!

Tip 1 – Pay attention to the label

It is important, before placing the product in the cart, to check the label. The most relevant information is found in this part of the packaging.

Products produced and packaged in the same location reduce the chances of adulteration, although there is no guarantee that this will not occur. Avoid olive oils made in one country and packaged in another.

Tip 2 – Pay attention to prices

Extra virgin olive oil, whether national or imported, has a reasonably high price. If you find products that are said to be 100% extra virgin but at very low prices, you might have something wrong.

Tip 3 – Choose products that have been manufactured recently

The less manufacturing or packaging time, the less chance the product will have undergone oxidation and the more nutrients and benefits the olive oil will have.

Seek to understand the production process and who produces it. Reputable producers keep their olive oil stored in stainless steel tanks with nitrogen in a refrigerated room, guaranteeing freshness for much longer.

Tip 4 – Choose products with dark packaging

Olive oil in a clear or transparent packaging is more likely to oxidize.

Therefore, products in dark packaging are more likely to be fresher, as long as they have undergone careful processing and controlled storage.

The reason is that olive oil cannot rely on light or heat, whether artificial or solar, as this can oxidize all of its components.

Tip 5 – Purchase products from trusted brands

The last tip, but one of the most important, concerns choosing olive oils produced by trusted brands.

At Lagar H , for example, olives are grown, harvested and go through the process of extracting extra virgin olive oil in the same place. This helps maintain the freshness, flavor and aroma of the product.

Furthermore, the olive oils are packaged in tamper-proof dark bottles, ensuring quality and control throughout the production process.

In conclusion, as we live in one of the countries where adulteration of olive oil is so common, it is necessary to take every precaution to buy original products.

Therefore, when buying olive oil it is essential to follow these and other steps to purchase the right products and avoid adulterated oils.
If you are looking for 100% Brazilian extra virgin olive oils, access the Lagar H catalog and find the ideal product for your meal.