Bellucci Premium Comments on the Lack of Standards for Labeling Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) September 17, 2013

Following a study that notes that the standards for labeling olive oil are lax, Bellucci Premium makes a statement on the importance of ensuring consumers that they are receiving exactly what is labeled on the bottle.

According to an article by The Miami Herald published on September 9th titled, “Claims of olive oil quality ripe for fraud, trade agency says,” there has been an ongoing issue with the mislabeling of olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil.

Following a year-long study by The International Trade Commission, it is determined that the term ‘extra virgin olive oil’ is used loosely. Lower quality products have been labeled like this and since there has been little to no enforcement, these products have been allowed to be sold on the market. The trade commission was quoted in the article saying, “Many producers believe that broad and unenforced olive oil standards work to the advantage of unscrupulous producers and fail to benefit both high-quality producers and olive oil consumers.”

The article shares some statistics taken by The North American Olive Oil Association which randomly tests olive oils found in supermarkets. It was found that “less than 2 percent of the oils sold as extra virgin have evidence of adulteration. Likewise, less than 10 percent of samples taken by the International Olive Council show ‘chemical anomalies’ that might suggest mislabeling.”

Consumers often do not have enough knowledge to determine by taste if a product is correctly labeled. Extra virgin refers to an olive oil that is of the highest quality and cannot be diluted in any way. The article says that tests to determine the quality of olive oil include testing for chemicals and testing by taste.

Natalie Sexenian, Marketing Manager for Bellucci Premium, says that ensuring consumers that the product they are purchasing is authentic is important because of the issue with mislabeling in the industry. “At Bellucci Premium, we assure our consumers that their bottle of extra virgin olive oil is pure with our traceability app,” she says. "Every bottle is labeled with a lot number which can trace exactly where the olives in the bottle came from."

The article goes on to say that so far, no future regulation efforts have been announced following the report by the International Trade Commission. “We hope that consumers become more educated on the issues revolving around the products they purchase and that there will be further regulation of olive oil and labeling,” says Sexenian.

Bellucci offers three different types of oil, including an organic option, with a mild peppery flavor and fruity undertones that will satisfy any palate. Bellucci Premium Toscano extra virgin olive oil uses olives that are grown on the beautiful landscapes of Tuscany, and maintained by 3rd and 4th generation farmers. The third type of oil Bellucci produces is the finest 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil, grown in many different regions of Italy.
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