What can be called extra virgin olive oil – and what cannot? A ministerial circular changes the labelling rules
Under the Masaf regulations, blends containing virgin olive oil will no longer be permitted to be labelled as extra virgin olive oil, but producers argue that the measure contravenes EU directives. Coldiretti is pleased: controls must now be stepped up
Key points
The Ministry of Agriculture has given the go-ahead to the circular prohibiting the labelling of oil produced from a blend of extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil as ‘extra virgin’. This measure responds to the requests made in recent weeks by Coldiretti and Unaprol.
Stop blending
The circular serves to clarify a complex legal framework. On the other hand, the MASAF measure itself states: ‘The current regulatory framework – as set out in the circular – does not expressly prohibit the blending practice in question; however, it is clear that the subsequent classification and marketing of the blended product under the designation ‘extra virgin olive oil’ – and therefore as a higher-grade oil – is misleading to the consumer and contravenes the principles of fair labelling practices.”
For these reasons, MASAF makes it clear that ‘a product obtained by blending extra virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil must be classified and labelled as belonging to the lower category’.
Lollobrigida: we need clear rules
“Olive oil is a staple of our diet,” commented the Minister for Agriculture, Francesco Lollobrigida, “and is used every day by all Italian families. That is why we need clear rules for producers and bottlers, and clear information for those who buy and consume it.”
The circular also stipulates that ‘oil obtained from blending carried out prior to the publication of the circular in the Official Gazette, which has been declared “extra virgin olive oil” and is already packaged, may be sold until stocks are exhausted’, whilst if sold in bulk it must be reclassified as “virgin olive oil”.
