Grades
Mar. 30, 2026
Trade Agreements Extend Europe’s Food Quality Rules Beyond Its Borders
By embedding geographical indications into major trade agreements, the European Union is extending a regulatory model that ties food quality to origin, production methods and traceability.
Mar. 26, 2026
Twenty-Eight New Olive Oil Sommeliers Certified in London
Twenty-eight participants from diverse professional backgrounds completed the Olive Oil Times Sommelier Certificate Program in London after five days of instruction in sensory analysis, production, quality and evaluation.
Mar. 16, 2026
Trade Group Tightens Standards for Certified Seal Program
The North American Olive Oil Association has introduced stricter standards for its Certified Seal program, including tighter chemical limits, shorter shelf-life parameters and expanded supply chain oversight.
Feb. 2, 2026
Study Finds Virgin Olive Oil Linked to Better Gut Health and Slower Cognitive Decline
New research suggests that virgin and extra virgin olive oil may support brain health by shaping the gut microbiota, while refined oils show weaker effects.
Jan. 28, 2026
Congressional Bill Would Require Federal Definition for Olive Oil Labels
A bipartisan bill in Congress would require the FDA to establish a national standard of identity for olive oil, a move supporters say would strengthen enforcement and protect consumers.
Jan. 27, 2026
Olive Oil Times Sommelier Certificate Program Returns to London in March
The Olive Oil Times Education Lab will host its five-day Sommelier Certificate Program in London from March 9 to 13, offering immersive instruction in olive oil sensory analysis, production, health, culinary applications and quality assessment.
Jun. 16, 2025 Grades
New Method Detects Olive Oil Adulteration, Reduces Environmental Impact
May. 22, 2025 Food & Cooking
Mar. 13, 2024 News Briefs
Nov. 15, 2023 News Briefs
Mar. 20, 2023 Grades
Lab Test Would Define the Sensory Profile of Olive Oil by Analyzing Its Molecules
Jan. 3, 2023
Researchers Develop Cheaper, More Effective NMR Techniques to Test Olive Oil
Requiring just a single drop of oil, the researchers determined the grade of unmarked olive oil samples with a 95 percent success rate.
Nov. 30, 2022
Europe Rolls Out New Rules Governing Olive Oil Quality
Brussels reviewed olive oil classifications, labeling and marketing. The simplified rules aim at a more homogeneous E.U. olive oil market.
Jan. 20, 2022
The Essential Guide to Extra Virgin Olive Oil
What makes an olive oil ‘extra virgin?’ How is EVOO made, and why is it the healthiest cooking oil? We have answers.
Sep. 8, 2021
Spain Approves New Rules Governing Olive Oil Quality and Standards
The new laws update the previous ones from 1983 and are meant to add value for producers, promote consumption and fight fraud.
May. 18, 2021
New Testing Method Simplifies Elemental Analysis of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Samples
Using the new method, researchers could more quickly and accurately identify chemical elements in olive oil, helping determine provenance and identify adulteration.
Apr. 1, 2021
Researchers Identify Main Types of Olive Oil Fraud, Propose Solutions
A scientific review identified the most prevalent types of olive oil fraud and proposed countermeasures including more cooperation among regulatory bodies.
Mar. 11, 2021
High-Polyphenol Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Lower Risk of Vascular Diseases Associated with Diabetes
While the results of the study confirm previous findings, the message from researchers is new: The type of olive oil used in cardiovascular health studies is an important variable.
Oct. 26, 2016
Misinformation from the Cook Who Coined 'EVOO'
You might think the cook and author Rachael Ray, who is credited with coining 'EVOO' as shorthand for extra virgin olive oil, would do the necessary homework to get it right.
Apr. 4, 2016
Increased Attention on Olive Oil Volatile Compounds
Increased attention is being paid to the study of volatile compounds in virgin olive oil and their interactions with the sensory profile.
Dec. 4, 2015
Researchers Use Optical Spectroscopy to Classify Olive Oils
Using optical spectroscopy, the new method can identify extra virgin, virgin and lampante.
May. 30, 2014
Council Seeks Input on Olive Oil Definitions and Test Methods
Under a new system designed to boost transparency, the IOC has begun circulating proposals on new or revised methods of analysis, parameters or limits.
Jun. 13, 2013
Olive Oil Quality Seals? Take Your Pick
Quality seal programs certify the quality of the olive oils displaying their stickers so consumers can buy with confidence.
May. 20, 2013
New Farm Bill Includes Olive Oil Controls
The U.S. Farm Bill of 2012 failed to pass, but a new version is back with the same provision for olive oil as last year’s version.
Mar. 22, 2013
New World Fails in Push to Raise Campesterol Limit for Olive Oil
New World producers have again failed in a bid to raise the limit for campesterol in olive oil, which they say acts as a trade barrier.
Aug. 2, 2012
Test to Detect Explosives Also Finds Bad Olive Oil
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have proven that ion mobility spectrometry, the analytical technique most commonly used to detect explosives and at airports, is also effective for identifying fraudulent olive oil.