Olive Oil News
A South Australian company has been fined $13,000 for mislabelling its product as extra virgin olive oil, when it wasn’t. The oil was produced by the Big Olive Company, of Tailem Bend, between December 2010 and March 2011. It was sold in 500ml bottles labelled as Oz Olio. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has tested seven extra virgin olive oil labels, including imports, but at this stage has only fined The Big Olive.
Read MoreNominations are now open for the inaugural NSW Organic Pioneers Award, recognising dedicated organic producers, innovators in the organic industry who are passionate about organics. The winner will receive a $6000 professional development travel bursary. The initiative is supported by the NSW Organic Ministerial Advisory Council and the NSW Department of Primary Industries and sponsors include Biological Farmers of Australia, Organic Federation of Australia, National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia and NSW regional food groups. Self-nominations are encouraged; or nominations with approval Applications close 1 June 2012. Entry forms www.organicpioneers.com.au via email to [email protected]
Read MoreNominations are also open for three major awards celebrating innovation in organic and sustainable industries. Organics Tasmania, the state’s organic industry representative body, is celebrating the Year of the Farmer with an Organic Industry Innovation Award. The award aims to give recognition to certified organic businesses, to promote the organic farming, processing and retailing industry and to champion the farming community. Applications close 30 June 2012. More information and nominations to Graeme Stevenson – [email protected] or phone 03 6435 1319.
Read MoreFurther north, applications are open for the 2012 Ivy Inwood Industry Award, sponsored by Safe Food Queensland. This year there are two awards on offer and the criteria has changed.
The Ivy Inwood Industry Award goes to someone with a great idea that will benefit the agricultural industry, is committed to promoting innovative and sustainable approaches to their respective field and is willing to build their network with other industry professionals. The winning recipient will receive $10,000.
The Young Rural Achiever supports students keen to further their careers in the agricultural industry, with the winner receiving financial assistance of $7500. Nominations close 8 June 2012. More information here
Entries are now open for the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards (RMFFA). Conducted annually by the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria, the RMFFA present a unique opportunity for all food producers and manufacturers, from commercial giants to small boutique food growers and specialists, to benchmark their products and use RMFFA medal artwork as a seal of quality. A key event in the Australian culinary calendar, the competition has nine categories including Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Flavoured Oil and Table Olives. Entries close on August 3, with judging on 23-25 August. Download the entry booklet https://www.rasv.com.au/Events/RMFF_Home/RMFF_Entries/RMFF_Publications/ .For further information visit www.rasv.com.au or contact Ross Karavis – (03) 9281 7435; [email protected].
Read MoreA parliamentary push is on for greater protection of the local olive oil industry, calling for more transparent labelling to stop misleading information on imported olive oil products. NSW Nationals Senator John Williams spoke on the issue in the Senate recently, urging regulatory authorities to “act fast” and avoid the Australian olive industry’s potential decimation from “wrongdoing, misleading advertising and misleading labelling”. In his speech, Senator Williams also accused retail supermarket chains of continuing “to knowingly sell” extra-virgin olive oil products that are “misleading, deceptive and not allowed under Australian standards”.
Read MoreTraining organisation Smith & Georg are running a series of Chemical Accreditation courses from May through November 2012. Completion of the course allows the purchase and use of Schedule 7 chemicals. Duration is one day for accreditation and half-day for re-accreditation, with receipt of the Chemical Accreditation Card within two weeks of completion. The course can also be completed online via the Home Study option. For a list of courses and to register, visit www.smithandgeorg.com.au, or call Smith & Georg on (08) 8389 1856.
Read MoreWhile generally a great night out, winemaker’s dinners are a dime a dozen these days. But what about a gourmet meal matched to premium local wines which also features premium local olive oil and olive products? It’s happening in Adelaide, with the Spice Market Restaurant at the Rockford Hotel presenting a dinner celebrating both of these great regional products. Viscous Virgins and Vinous Varietals is on Friday, 22 June and features Langhorne Creek olive oil producer Talinga Grove and Barossa’s Turkey Flat winery. Priced at $140pp, the event will start with a structured tasting of varietal oils, a blending competition and then a five-course meal, all accompanied by Turkey Flat’s varietal wines. What a great way to educate discerning consumers about the nuances of our wonderful fresh local oils. More information https://www.rockfordhotels.com.au/rockford-adelaide/adelaide-spice-market-dining.html by phone on 08 8211 8255 or email [email protected].
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