ADULTERATED OLIVE OIL: ITALIAN POLICE CONFISCATE OIL THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY

Italian police forces recently executed over 30 ordinances for precautionary custody of individuals who are retained responsible for the illegal production and commercialization of adulterated extra virgin olive oil.

The investigation, which is being conducted by the Bari Police Force and supervised by the Prosecutor of the Republic of Foggia, has targeted a vast and entrenched criminal organization dedicated to the production and distribution of adulterated olive oil at a national and international level.

The conclusive phase of the operation is occurring throughout various regions in Italy, including confiscations in the provinces of Foggia, Milan, Naples, Brindisi, Campobasso, Latina, Salerno, Bari, and Varese.

The accused appear to have mixed extra virgin olive oil with soy oils, and genetically modified sunflower oils, as well as adding beta-carotene and industrial chlorophyll. These products, bottled with labels that include invented company names and false certification, have emerged on both national and international markets.

Source: ANSA