Bad oil hits first slick
From the November 2009 edition of Agriculture Today.
Passionate about the quality of olive oils, Dr Rod Mailer's team at Wagga Wagga has helped get fraudulent product off the shelf for the first time. Photo: Sharon Kiss
Fraudulently labelled olive oils have been removed from supermarkets' shelves, after a successful first time court action.
Industry and Investment NSW scientists played a crucial role in uncovering the fraud.
Laboratory testing by Dr Rod Mailer's team at the Australian Oils Research Laboratory at Wagga Wagga revealed that two products labelled as olive oil contained canola oil and various levels of refined oil.
As a result of the testing, carried out in conjunction with the Australian Olive Association (AOA) and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), the ACCC has had the oils removed from supermarket shelves.
"This is the first time anywhere in Australia that legal action has been taken in relation to the fraudulent marketing of olive oil," Dr Mailer said.
"The suppliers of these oils must now have each batch of their products tested by an accredited laboratory prior to selling to Australian consumers."
In response to this action, two supermarket chains have also declared that olive oils they stock will now carry certificates verifying that they are in fact virgin olive oil and have been tested in Australia.
The Wagga Wagga oils research laboratory is one of only two Australian laboratories accredited by the International Olive Oil Council to test for the adulteration of olive oils.
NSW Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said Industry and Investment NSW initiated the Australian olive oil testing regime, with funding from AOA the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.
"Dr Mailer and his team are going be kept very busy testing a large number of samples from suppliers obliged to have their products checked, and carrying out confirmation tests for retailers," Mr Macdonald said.
"The laboratory is also being commissioned by the Australian Olive Association to continue supermarket surveillance to see if any other adulterated olive oils are reaching consumers.
"This State's leadership and expertise in olive oil testing has recently been internationally recognised, with Industry and Investment NSW being asked to help set up an olive oil testing system for the United States."
Contact Rod Mailer, Wagga Wagga, (02) 6938 1818, 0417 201 032, rod.mailer@industry.nsw.gov.au
