Imagine yourself in your kitchen, ready to drizzle a little olive oil over your dish, convinced you’re making a healthy choice. But what if that oil held a disturbing secret? Today, we reveal the extent of olive oil fraud and the countries most affected. You’ll also discover how to spot counterfeit oil and choose genuine extra virgin olive oil to protect your health.
A massive fraud that threatens your health
Olive oil is the most fraudulent food product in the world. According to experts, up to 80% of commercially sold olive oils are counterfeit or adulterated. This means they contain blends of cheaper oils, undeclared additives, or even chemical solvents.
This phenomenon is not simply a matter of quality; it represents a real health risk. Regularly consuming adulterated olive oil can lead to nutritional deficiencies, inflammation, and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
Why is olive oil so frequently counterfeited? Its high demand and production cost make it an ideal target for counterfeiters. Producing genuine extra virgin olive oil requires a long and rigorous process, which leads some manufacturers to deceive consumers by selling mediocre products under false labels.
The 10 countries most affected by olive oil fraud
If you buy olive oil from one of these countries, be particularly vigilant:
10. Portugal
Although Portugal is not a major producer, approximately 10% of its exported olive oil is adulterated . It is often blended with lower-quality oils or contains undeclared additives.
