Stakeholders to Testify at California Olive Oil Hearing
State Senator Lois Wolk will preside over an informational hearing at the California State Capitol in Sacramento regarding extra virgin olive oil fraud, following conferences in Dixon and Napa Valley on the topic. Various industry experts and representatives, including Dan Flynn, Tom Mueller, and Bob Bauer, will provide insights on the issue at the hearing chaired by Senator Wolk. The meeting will feature discussions on the proposed industry marketing order, olive oil quality for food industry buyers, and perspectives from local industry leaders such as Gregg Kelley, Brady Whitlow, and Paul Miller, as well as importers and suppliers represented by Bob Bauer.
Extra virgin olive oil fraud will be the topic of an informational hearing Thursday at the California State Capitol in Sacramento.
State Senator Lois Wolk will preside over the meeting of the Senate Subcommittee on Olive Oil Production and Emerging Products that she chairs.
The meeting follows a two-day conference in Dixon, California where an industry marketing order was proposed, and another conference in nearby Napa Valleyon olive oil quality for food industry buyers. Senator Wolk attended the Napa and Dixon events.
Dan Flynn, who for years worked in the state legislature before establishing the UC Davis Olive Center, will start the session speaking on extra virgin olive oil fraud, followed by author Tom Mueller.
Offering local industry perspectives will be Gregg Kelley, CEO of California Olive Ranch; Brady Whitlow, president of Corto-Olive; Brendon Flynn, president of the California Olive Oil Council; and Jim Etters, director of land management for Yocha Dehe Winton Nation.
North American Olive Oil Association President Bob Bauer will represent olive oil importers and suppliers at the hearing.
Australian Olive Association President Paul Miller will offer a global perspective on olive oil quality issues.
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