All olive oils not full of the good oil
Consumer investigates brands’ claims
We are asking for regulations to include all singleingredient foods and olive oil falls into this category.
Consumer NZ found that out when it investigated 20 brands of extra-virgin olive oil, discovering that while most brands state the origin of their oil, some allow shoppers to think their product is made exclusively from New Zealand olives — when it's not.
Matapiro and Village Press were caught out for advertising their products as being made with only New Zealand olives when they actually contain a blend of local and Australian oil.
New regulations come into effect for fresh food this week in a bid to make it easier for consumers to know where some of their food comes from.
The new rules do not cover olive oil — but Consumer NZ wants that changed.
“We are asking for regulations to include all singleingredient foods and olive oil falls into this category,” a Consumer spokesperson said.
Matapiro told Consumer its oil was blended with Australian olive oil to meet demand, but the company hoped to return to wholly New Zealandgrown olives and oil soon.
Village Press has said it will amend its label at its next harvest.
Consumer also offered some tips for what shoppers should watch out for next time they stock up on olive oil:
Buy the freshest oil possible. Look for a pressed-on or harvest date. Best-before dates are not always a good indicator of quality, as they do not indicate the oil's age.
Green or dark bottles, or tins, provide better protection from the light. Do not buy clear-bottled oils, especially ones that have been displayed in a shop window or under fluorescent light.
Store in a cool dark place, tightly stoppered.
Do not stockpile. Oils do not improve with age so use any open oil within 12 months.
Consumer spokesperson