Tuscan Olive Oil Producer Bellucci Premium Commends the European Union’s Initiative to Fight Olive Oil Fraud
Bohemia, NY (PRWEB) February 03, 2014 -- High-quality Tuscan olive oil producer Bellucci Premium comments on an article published by the Olive Oil Times that discusses a €5m initiative proposed by the European Union to combat olive oil fraud.
In an article published by the Olive Oil Times on January 20th titled “EU Offers €5m to Fight Olive Oil Fraud,” an initiative to battle olive oil fraud has become a part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 program. The Horizon 2020 program promises more “breakthroughs, discoveries and world-firsts by taking great ideas from the lab to the market” for all food produced in the EU.
One of the main focuses of this initiative is to combat olive oil fraud. Olive oil is sold at a higher price than other vegetable oils. Therefore, some producers mix other cheaper oils with olive oil but still market it as olive oil, which is illegal. The EU says they are going to cut down on this fraudulent activity in order to protect the consumer and preserve the image of olive oil. The EU says in the article, “new analytic methods are sought that will help to preserve the image of olive oil by guaranteeing its quality and authenticity. Of particular interest are the detection of blends of extra virgin olive oil or virgin olive oil with soft deodorized olive oil, and of extra virgin olive oil or virgin olive oil with other vegetable oils.”
Natalie Sexenian, the marketing manager for Tuscan olive oil producer Bellucci Premium, says, “This initiative set forth by the European Union is exactly what is needed. Even labeling a product as ‘extra virgin olive oil’ when its acidity level is over 0.8% is fraudulent. Consumers can protect themselves against deceptive products by checking bottles for the following information: harvest date, acidity levels, and traceability.” She says, “At Bellucci Premium, we wholeheartedly believe in quality and transparency with our customers. That is why we include the harvest date on every single bottle. All of our bottles, including our organic olive oil, have a bottle lot number that our customers can enter on our website or app in order to trace exactly where the olives in that bottle originated from.”
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.
#####
Scott Darrohn, Bellucci Premium, http://www.belluccipremium.com, +1 (855) 347-4228, [email protected]
Share this article