The Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) has denounced that certain industry operators camouflage sunflower oil with olive oil to lower the price and deceive consumers, according to a statement.
Specifically, the agrarian organization has described this practice as “regrettable” and criticizes that certain packers are mixing oils made with different raw materials and mixing them outside of Spain, where these practices are prohibited, to later import them into the national market and introduce them into the distribution lines.
UPA has shown its indignation when detecting this practice, since it considers that it “seriously harms” olive growers and the entire olive oil chain, by discrediting a product that is key to Spanish agriculture.
“We are entering a scenario of unpredictable consequences for the sector as a whole. Introducing into the Spanish market a new ‘blend’ of oils made from mixtures of oils of different origins unworthily deteriorates the image and protection of a product of excellence as it is our olive oil, it must be stopped immediately”, they have demanded.
UPA has recalled that the practice of mixing oils made with different raw materials is not illegal in Europe, although it is unusual, while in Spain it is prohibited by the oil quality standard, which establishes various requirements for packers who do so. non-viable.
A practice that arises now due to the increase in the price of olive oil, derived from the escalation of production costs and the short campaign last due to the drought.
Some packers are undertaking these practices for the first time in Spain which, according to UPA, lend themselves to deception as they want to pass off a ‘pig in a poke’. “Sunflower oil costs about 3 euros less per liter than olive oil. It is clear why these packers are carrying out these practices,” they have pointed out.
UPA has indicated that this case of mixtures of oils is reminiscent of the one that has spent years denouncing the beekeeping sector throughout Europe. “We know from experience that the mixtures lend themselves to deception and fraud, since it is almost impossible to verify if what the label says is true. Labeling whose design also seeks to confuse consumers”, have remarked from the organization, which has asked packers to stop these practices and distribution that respects consumers and does not offer this type of product.
In this way, UPA has called on the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, who is meeting in Luxembourg this week with his European colleagues, to lead a proposal in the EU to prohibit this type of mixture in a product such as oil made of olives.
The olive oil sector has spent years betting on quality and differentiation, and this type of practice is, according to farmers, a “missile to the waterline of the producer sector”. “It is absolutely irresponsible to introduce this mixture of oils seeking to improve the industry’s income statement at all costs. Not even the consumers themselves are demanding it, given that the superior category, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) has continued to increase its consumption in recent years despite its higher price”, they have pointed out.
