2023-04-26 18:27:50
You have to pay close attention to the labels. What at first glance may seem to us ‘iberian gold‘ it may not be extra virgin olive oil. The Union of Small Farmers (UPA) denounces that some companies they try to confuse the consumer. They present their product with a green Andalucía label, a Sevillian woman and an olive branch. But if we look a little closer, we see that it is about a mixture of oils. Specifically, it contains only 35% olive oil. The rest is sunflower.
This practice is banned in Spain. Our legislation prohibits mixing different types of oil in the same product to ensure the quality of the olive oil. However, it is not prohibited in other countries such as Portugal. These companies produce, package and import this mixed product from other countries, taking advantage of a legal loophole. UPA has requested the Department of agriculture to negotiate with the European Comission The prohibition of this practice in the rest of the Union.
The farmers denounce that, with this strategy, the companies try to confuse the consumer so that they believe that they are buying one of the food products most appreciated by the Spanish. Five liters of mixed oil is 12 euros cheaper than the same amount of extra virgin olive. In a context of inflation, a more attractive price can make a difference in the number of sales.
In addition, the drought suggests a lower production and there is nothing to suggest that the price of olive oil will fall in price. Therefore, farmers are concerned about whether this practice spreads. They ask for measures to curb what they consider a fraud and a hoax. The packers denounce that these companies use the good image and prestige of extra virgin olive oil to sell a product that has nothing to do with it.
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