Olive Oil Commission of California Issues Report Showing Improvements in California Olive Oil Quality

California, Dec. 05, 2017 -- Sacramento, CA -- The Olive Oil Commission of California released this week a report indicating the mandatory government sampling program which began in 2014 is resulting in improvements to the quality of California olive oil and more accurate labeling by California olive producers.

This chart indicates continuous improvement in the grade identified by the handler being consistent with the grade determined through the OOCC's mandatory testing program.

Analysis conducted by the UC Davis Olive Center to examine California olive oil test results concludes that in the three years since the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) was formed:

1. The vast majority of olive oil produced in California is verified as Extra Virgin.
2. Most California olive oils are accurately labeled by producers.
3. Independent laboratory analyses show that California olive oils produced by OOCC members are easily meeting mandatory quality standards established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“The overall goal of the Olive Oil Commission of California is to ensure that olive oil produced in California is trusted and valued,” said Jeff Colombini, Chairman of the OOCC and a California olive oil farmer. “Although the OOCC is just three years old, this report indicates the program is working to make a difference in the quality of olive oil produced in the state.”

One of the most important objectives of the OOCC program is to verify that handlers are correctly labeling their olive oil according to grade.  Recent media reports on olive oil fraud have resulted in confusion among consumers regarding how to select and buy good quality olive oil.  The OOCC represents the growing California olive oil industry’s commitment to improving the consumer olive oil buying experience.

Under the OOCC program, California Department of Food and Agriculture officials collect samples of olive oil from OOCC member producers. These samples are sent to independent accredited laboratories for chemical and sensory analysis.  OOCC members are also required to collect samples of their olive lots and send them to accredited labs of their choosing. 

The UC Davis Olive Center compares test results from the OOCC independent lab with those collected and tested by handlers. According to the new report, OOCC members have made continuous improvements in testing and grading their olive oils so it is consistent with the OOCC’s independent lab test results. In 2016/17, the UC Davis Olive Center analyses found that 100 percent of the olive oil samples collected for the OOCC by government officials were accurately labeled and consistent with handlers’ own test results.

A copy of the full report titled “California Olive Oil Quality 2014 to 2017” is available here.

“We are very pleased with this new report’s findings,” concluded Colombini. “The hope of the OOCC is that we can establish trust and credibility among consumers, retailers and restaurants. Ultimately, this trust will make it easier for olive oil lovers to purchase good quality olive oils by selecting those produced in California.”

The OOCC‘s government testing program is mandatory for California producers of 5,000 gallons or more of olive oil per year. The program is also open to smaller producers on a voluntary basis. The OOCC membership currently represents companies who produce 90 percent of California’s olive oil volume.  The OOCC also works with the California Department of Food and Agriculture to set standards for California Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which are the strictest in the nation. 

For more information on the OOCC, please visit www.oliveoilcommission.org

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Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d65cd031-105d-41c6-9aca-f1048235047e

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/56db5820-8125-48ce-aa7b-c7289209c894

Chris Zanobini
Olive Oil Commission of California
916-441-1581
[email protected]