Olive oil is highly recommended since it is extremely beneficial to human health. It contains various minerals, including antioxidants, which can help lower the likelihood of developing chronic diseases. Nevertheless, despite the high price of olive oil, fake olive oils are unsuitable for human consumption. But how would you determine if the olive oil you purchased is real or fake?
Rising Demand of Olive Oil
(Photo : Pixabay/Steve Buissinne )
In 2022, the worldwide olive oil industry was estimated to be worth $14.20 billion. According to Fortune Business Insights, the market is anticipated to expand from $14.64 billion in 2023 to $18.42 billion by 2030, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.33% throughout the projection.
A significant portion of the market's robust expansion may be attributed to the growing demand for olive fruit oil throughout the retail and food service channels. Additionally, the increasing interest in trying out different cuisines has been a primary contributor to the rise in popularity of Olea europaea fruit oil in a variety of places all over the world. As more people become aware of its positive effects on their health, the demand for it is expected to increase in the coming years due to its omega-3 fatty acid content. Therefore, this oil has been utilized significantly throughout the past few years in producing several medications and dietary supplements.
However, beneath the most widely used extra virgin olive oils in the world, which are produced in Italy, Spain, and Greece, some illicit businesses profit from the gold rush by selling fake liquid gold. These enterprises reportedly use sunflower, canola, or even lamp oil to produce a product that can retail for up to $30 per liter in the United States.
Acting with the European Union's Europol law enforcement agency, authorities in Spain and Italy announced at the end of November that they had detained eleven individuals connected to a particular criminal gang. Furthermore, they had seized twelve barrels that contained approximately 260,000 liters of olive oil that had been contaminated, also known as non-virgin or extra-virgin olive oil.
Another 5,200 liters of oil prepared for export and of marketable quality were also seized. According to the authorities, it was 'unfit for consumption,' even though the oil had been falsely labeled to indicate that it was 100% Italian or Spanish. In addition, the authorities discovered cash worth 91,000 euros, equivalent to approximately $100,000, four luxury automobiles, forged labels, and paperwork claiming the oil was grown in Spain and Italy. Nevertheless, the sample testing results indicated that the oil was most likely produced by combining olive oil wastes with other types of oil.
Read Also: Cocoa Extract Can Boost Brain Health For Elderly With Poor Diets
How to determine Fake Olive Oil
Although you could believe that you are purchasing high-quality olive oil, the truth is that manufacturers may combine olive oil with other oils that are of lower quality and cost, such as vegetable oil or soybean oil, to reduce expenses. Therefore, you need to know how to recognize fake olive oil to prevent being taken advantage of.
Check the Harvest Date
Certain olive oil bottles do not have the harvest date printed on them. The manufacturer may have incorporated stale oils, the harvest date is still being determined, or the product is expired. In most cases, trustworthy and transparent manufacturers would disclose the harvest date to provide customers with more information to help them make more informed choices.
Buy California Olive Oil
When possible, choose California extra virgin olive oil for quality and flavor. Brightland olive oil is reportedly held to stricter standards than imported olive oils, with extensive supply networks and many middlemen. Moreover, people in the United States are more likely to be able to access freshness because California is located closer to their homes.
Give It a Sensory Test
An easy sensory test will uncover low-quality or 'fake' olive oil. Fresh, natural olive oils are peppery and vibrant due to polyphenols that induce pepperiness, while fake olive oils taste drab, oily, waxy, or crayon-like if rotten.
Look for Identifiers of Authenticity
As mentioned, you must first purchase the container to conduct an olfactory and gustatory evaluation. Yet, a few methods do not require financial investment to recognize fakes.
Related Article: Here's How to Make an Olive Oil Whipped Cream, Plus a Yummy Cake to Pair It With
To keep up with the latest news on trending recipes, food safety, and more, follow Food World News!
