Study proves not all oils created equally
Ka¯ piti product one of just two to reach gold standard
AConsumer NZ investigation has found Ka¯piti Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Leccino/ Picual has met its gold medal standard in a recent investigation which also revealed some oils tested were labelled as from New Zealand despite containing imported oils.
The investigation tested 20 extra-virgin olive oils from New Zealand, Australia, Africa, and Europe and found all oils met the criteria to be labelled extra-virgin.
It also found two Kiwi oils achieved gold medal standard (86 to 100 per cent) in the blind tasting carried out by accredited tasters.
Ka¯piti Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Leccino/Picual was described as a very well-balanced oil, tasting of oregano, artichoke, rocket and apple with a white pepper finish.
Olivo Extra-Virgin Olive Oil tasted of complex green herbs with hints of lime and a peppery finish.
These two oils also carry the OliveMark – Olives New Zealand (the New Zealand olive oil industry body) certification which is gained by meeting the requirements for bottling and labelling as well as chemical and sensory criteria.
Nine oils achieved silver medal status (76 to 85 per
cent), and six oils were awarded bronze.
Three oils didn’t achieve a medal in the Consumer NZ tasting; Harvest Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, Olivani Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Countdown Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.
“Most oils state the origin of the olives or oil, but not all are upfront, and you could be forgiven for thinking some New Zealand olive oils are made from 100 pe rcent New Zealand olives,” said Consumer NZ research writer Belinda Castles.
New country of origin regulations, which came into force for fresh food from February 12, make it mandatory for companies to disclose the origin of certain foods but olive oil is not covered by the regulations.
Consumer NZ is asking for regulations to include all single ingredient foods and olive oil falls into this category.
Despite Matapiro New Zealand 100 per cent Extra-Virgin Olive Oil and Village Press First Press Extra-Virgin Olive Oil stating New Zealand on the front label, there’s no mention where the olives or oil comes from.
Matapiro said its oil was blended with Australian olive oil to meet demand but that the company was hoping to return to wholly New Zealand grown olives and oil soon.
Village Press said the reference to New Zealand represents that it is a local business where all oil is blended, filtered, bottled and labelled within the country, despite including some Australian oil.
Village Press told Consumer NZ the label will be amended at its next harvest so it’s clear not all the First Press oil is New Zealand-sourced.