Olive Oil News

AOCS is pleased to add to its Laboratory Proficiency Program with the introduction of the AOCS Olive Oil Sensory Panel Proficiency Testing Series. The series, which launched last week, will allow participants to know where their sensory panel stands in comparison to sensory panels across the globe. Testing and scoring will abide by International Olive Council guidelines, with qualifying panels promoted as an AOCS Recognised Olive Oil Sensory Panel.

The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) has submitted a petition to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an “enhanced standard of identity for olive oil and olive-pomace oil products” to define the different grades of olive oil and the analytical methods used in their determination. The NAOOA, whose members are companies that import olive oil into the US, said it first petitioned the FDA with the same objective in 1990.

Producers are reminded that the Olives NZ Certification Program 2012 is now a ‘one-stop shop’ administered by the Executive Officer (EO). Samples can no longer be sent to AsureQuality or Plant and Food. Documentation, samples and payment go to the EO, who manages assessment (chemical and sensory) and provides qualification certificates which allow the use of the OliveMark. Certification documentation has been emailed to all members and can also be download here http://www.olivesnz.org.nz/members-news/certification/2012-certification-programme-and-documentation/ . The 55+ samples sent to date have all received positive results.
**Note: receipt of a submission by Olives NZ to receipt of results from DPI is generally 4-5 weeks, therefore 10 August is the last day for receipt of oils for certification to ensure entry into the 2012 ONZ Awards. There will also be no submissions sent to DPI from 17 August-10 September as the EO will be away.

There’s a profusion of olive oil brands in the market as health-conscious, upwardly mobile Indians make it the cooking medium of choice. Indian taste buds are flowering, thanks primarily to international cookery and health food shows on television. Sure enough, olive oil is grabbing prime space on kitchen shelves, as it is said to be healthier and less fattening. Used primarily for massages till about a decade ago, olive oil has emerged as one of the healthiest cooking mediums in India. Rising health awareness coupled with promotional campaigns run by both exporting nations and Indian importers have aided the trend.

Import duties on a number of food items were reduced by Israel’s Finance Minister in July – but local olive producers have successfully lobbied for imported olive oil to be excluded from the list, in a bid to boost the flailing local industry. Producers put pressure on members of the Kedmi committee, the commission looking into ways to reduce the cost of food in Israel, not to cut duty on imported olive oil brands, saying that such a reduction would deliver a blow to the local industry. They claim the local industry is in a precarious state and that imported oils are 15% to 20% cheaper than local products.

The price of olive oil in Europe dropped by 4.6% in the first half of this year, and the price manufacturers paid growers for their olives fell even more steeply. Nevertheless, the price of olive oil in Israel rose by about 7% during those six months, the market research firm Nielsen found. Producers and retailers both deny any responsibility.

There’s just one more week left for public comment on the draft Australian Table Olive Standard, prepared by the National Table Olive Committee (NTOC). The Standard will apply to all table olive products, whether from Australian or international sources for wholesale or retail trade in Australia,and will initially be voluntary and incorporated into the AOA Code of Practice. The draft document is currently open for comment prior to publication by RIRDC and implementation later in 2012. Comments and submissions on the draft Standard are invited from all interested parties, and should be forwarded to NTOC convenor Peter McFarlane via post: 33 Phillips St, Somerton Park SA 5044; fax: (08) 8376 7048 or email: [email protected]. Download the Standard www.australianolives.com.au and for further information or clarification contact Peter on 0418 839 836. Deadline for submissions is 5pm on Friday, 10 August 2012 – don’t miss your chance to input into this important industry action.