International tick for Aussie olive oil test
NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald today said local producers are set to benefit as the DPI’s state-of-the-art olive oil testing laboratory at Wagga Wagga puts the wheels in motion to gain international recognition for the eighth consecutive year.
This week four ‘mystery’ samples from the International Olive Council (IOC), Madrid, arrived for testing at the laboratory which was nominated by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service to conduct the annual accreditation tests.
Minister Macdonald said it was vital to the local industry that Australia’s only world-recognised olive oil testing laboratory maintains international accreditation.
"Local consumers want to know that our oil is of an international standard and exporters need an official certificate guaranteeing their oil is authentic," he said.
"Strict limits on various elements of the oil govern whether it can be sold as genuine extra-virgin oil."
Staff at Wagga Wagga have now begun the Olympian task of testing the samples and returning their results to the IOC in Spain by April 1.
NSW DPI principal research scientist, Rod Mailer, said the testing process is a complex procedure where scientists work out exactly what each sample contains to determine if it’s genuine extra-virgin oil or olive oil adulterated by solvents or other oils.
"Some tests take from three to seven days to complete and fatty acid tests need to be accurate to 0.1 per cent," Dr Mailer said.
"A total of nine different tests, including those for waxes, UV absorption and sterols, are used to determine the purity and quality of the oil."
Dr Mailer said while NSW DPI is confident of success they’re not standing on their laurels.
"We’re making every effort to keep our accreditation and support the Australian olive oil industry."
Australian olive oil has been proven world-class with 50 per cent of the local product sold overseas - most to the USA, but also Italy and Spain.
Producers and growers can get more information, including details of olive oil test kits and prices, by calling the oil testing service Customer Service Unit, (02) 6938 1957 or 1800 675 623.
Digital photographs from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Media contact: Bernadette York, (02) 6391 3936 or 0427 773 785