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The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has missed its January 4 deadline for publishing details of how it will regulate imported food under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), but says it will update the industry “soon”. The rules relate to the proposed Foreign Supplier Verification Program, which will see importers required to provide verification of certification and compliance with FDA regulations.
Only three Australian and four New Zealand producers have taken advantage of the listings available in the Olive Oil Times’ international online Olive Oil Guide. The guide provides each olive oil brand with its own page on the Olive Oil Times website, complete with producer information, production methods, tasting notes, suggested food pairings, accolades, a link to the producer’s website and retail outlets where consumers can buy products. Producers are allowed one free brand submission, with a small fee charged for each additional brand submission. Learn more https://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/olive-oil-guide-faq/17815
Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and the Environment has teamed up with the organization Ibercaja y Zeytum Servicios Oleotécnicos to create an olive oil educational program aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of olive oil. The first course runs from January to May at the Centro Cultural de Ibercaja, and consists of five theoretical and practical sessions. Each session allows students to discover the different benefits, aromas and flavors of the main varieties of olive oil through a process of comprehensive sensory analysis.
For the second year in a row, Britain’s annual Taste of London gastronomical event will feature the European Olive Oil Program. The campaign organizers hope its presence at the festival will help spawn increased interest in the so-called ‘liquid gold’. Olive oil, particularly that of Spanish origin, has grown increasingly popular among the Brits in recent years, with sales increasing by 17% since 2009. More than 50,000 are expected to attend the month-long Taste of London event, providing country-wide promotion for European EVOO. Any olive oil producers taking part in the Australia Day promotional events in the UK this year – and if not, why aren’t we? – Ed.
The internationally-recognised health benefits of extra virgin olive oil do not rate in the draft Australian Dietary Guidelines released on 13 December by the National Health and Medical Research Council. Other ingredients in the Mediterranean Diet are recommended, as is the replacement of some saturated fat by vegetable oils high in monounsaturated fats, however EVOO doesn’t rate a mention. The Guidelines are out for public consultation until 29 February 2012.
A Facebook shopping app has been launched in Australia, aiming to help small businesses reverse recent downward trends in consumer spending. Developed by Brisbane-based start-up aradium, the app enables small businesses to run an online e-commerce store on Facebook, the world’s largest social networking website. More information www.facebook.com/aradium and read more in the coming edition of Olivegrower & Processor.
Random weather conditions continue to be experienced across Australia, from heat waves to heavy rains, floods and even cyclones. How has your grove fared? Have you lost blossoms or young fruit to strong winds? Is your grove under water, or parched from days of scorching heat? Send Olivegrower & Processor editor Gerri Nelligan an email with details of what’s been happening in your area, and she’ll compile a snapshot of how things are looking across the country. And New Zealand growers, we’d love reports from you too. Send your details to [email protected]
It’s getting closer, so now’s the time to lock in your place at the Olives New Zealand Conference 2012 – Let’s Get it On! The event will be held at the Five Star Sudima Airport Hotel, Auckland on Saturday, 24 March, with an ’Olives to Oil’ Processor Course the following day. Detailed conference program information and registration forms https://www.olivesnz.org.nz/uncategorized/conference-2012-lets-get-it-on-2/. Registrations close on 31 January 2012.
A 20% hike in olive oil imports by Brazil, 11% by the EU, 7% by the USA and 5% by Canada offset falls in Japan (-12%) and Australia (-10%), according to the International Olive Council’s figures for the 2010/11 crop year. Released in the IOC’s December newsletter, the figures show that the year from October 2010 to September 2011 was also notable for significant drops in reported producer prices. By December 2011 the producer price for extra virgin olive oil in Italy had fallen to €2.43/kg, down 18% on December 2010 and 40% from last summer’s peak.
It’s 2012 already – where does the time go? Our industry has certainly had some challenges in recent times, and we hope that 2012 sees bumper crops of quality fruit…