We learned today the tiny state of Connecticut, in the northeastern United States, is apparently the first place in the country to adopt an olive oil standard that seeks to limit adulterated (or unpure) olive oil.
A Norwalk, Conn., importer complained about olive oil that was being marketed as "extra virgin," but was really far from pure. State officials ran tests on the oil and found it contained other oils.
“The Department of Consumer Protection has found instances in which olive oil being sold in Connecticut was actually a mixture of soy oil with some low-grade olive pomace oil,” according to Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. “The switch was not discernable by way of sight or taste, but only through chemical testing. Since many state residents are severely allergic to certain types of nuts or soybeans, an unknown exposure could prove fatal.”The law will allow them to go after, and punish, olive oil maker/importers who mislabel a product as "extra virgin," when it really also contains other kinds of cheaper, potentially harmful olive oil. Especially for people who suffer from nut allergies.
It's interesting that the federal government has been slow-footed on this issue, and states are starting to take it up as a cause. Connecticut officials said that California will be the next state, early next year, to adopt stronger measures on "EVOO" labelling. It appears the state is adopting the International Olive Council's definitions of extra virgin, virgin and pomace oils. (Which is a start. Some in the industry say those standards aren't high enough anymore.)
Still this is great, important news coming out of Connecticut, which doesn't even have its own olive oil industry! Most consumers probably won't appreciate how important this is for the future of an important food staple in this country. Sadly, it is difficult to find well-written and researched news articles about this news coming out of Connecticut.
The most facts came out of a press release posted here. Learn more at Connecticut's consumer protection website.
UPDATE: Just spotted this good story from the International Herald Tribune.
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1 opinions:
"Sadly, it is difficult to find well-written and researched news articles about this news coming out of Connecticut."
Yeah, I hear the CT public schools suck, and pretty much anyone who graduated from them can't write to save their life.
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