Olive Oil: How to Get What You Pay for When Buying “Extra Virgin”

A recent study released by the University of California, Davis Olive Center revealed that 69% of imported olive oils and 10% of California olive oils tested were erroneously labeled as “extra virgin olive oil.” The oils that were mislabeled did not meet the International Olive Council (IOC) and US Department of Agriculture’s standards for extra…

New USDA Olive Oil Rules Go into Effect

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new guidelines for Olive Oil labeling went into effect on October 24th, 2010. The new standards define grades of olive oil and establish chemical and sensory guidelines for determining each grade, including “extra virgin.” Bottles of olive oil should also now have a “best by” date printed on them…

UC Davis Olive Center Study Found Imported Olive Oil’s Label Claims of “Extra Virgin” Misleading

A recent study published by the UC Davis Olive Center discovered that 69% of imported olive oils tested were not “extra virgin” as their labels claimed.  Before this study, despite widespread rumors and media reports, there was no concrete evidence that extra virgin olive oil was being adulterated. The study offers the first accurate, scientific…

US Department of Agriculture Adopts Scientifically Verifiable Standards for Olive Oil Labels

The sheer variety of olive oils on any given supermarket shelf can be overwhelming to the average shopper. Olive oils come in all shapes, sizes colors, and prices – and what do all those terms on the labels mean? Terms like “extra virgin,” “cold pressed,” and “unfiltered” are featured prominently on most olive oil labels…

California Environmentalists Bring Suit against Fish Oil Manufacturers for Violations of California Product Labeling Law

Two private California environmentalists and the Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation have joined forces to bring a lawsuit against manufacturers of several popular brands of fish oil. The Plaintiffs argue that the fish oil manufacturers are in violation of California’s Proposition 65, which requires that consumers be warned about chemical exposures. The lawsuit, which was filed…

Understanding California Standards for Labeling “Extra Virgin Olive Oil”

While there are many organizations that oversee olive oil quality around the world, the US follows the USDA 1948 classification system. In California, the 2008 California State Senate Bill SB634 made olive oil labeling requirements much stronger for products sold in California. According to California Law, olive oil labeled as “’Extra Virgin Olive Oil’ means…

Orange County, California Olive Oil Manufacturers and Retailers Found to Have Misrepresented Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Callahan & Blaine recently filed a class action lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against some of California’s largest distributors and retailers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  The defendants are olive oil manufacturers, distributors and retailers who sell their product in the state of California and have been knowingly misleading and defrauding California consumers for…

Orange County, California Extra Virgin Olive Oil Class Action Lawsuit Led by Prominent California Chefs and Restaurateurs

Callahan & Blaine recently filed a class action lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court against some of California’s largest distributors and retailers of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  For years, chefs and home cooks have shared anecdotal tales of extra virgin olive oil that just did not taste right.  It has now become clear that these…