The Italian Antitrust Authority has cleared Colavita Spa of an earlier charge of unfair business practices following a May 2015 report by the consumer magazine Il Test Salvagente.
The Italian Antitrust Authority has cleared Colavita Spa of an earlier charge of unfair business practices following a May 2015 report by the consumer magazine Il Test Salvagente.
Giovanni Colavita, the company’s legal representative, announced that Santa Sabina has been found to comply with the current quality standards for extra virgin olive oil.
“After 15 months, finally, the Italian Antitrust Authority has provided clarity with its Decision n. 26161, published on August 22, 2016 in its official bulletin, which confirmed that, based on the analysis carried out on Santa Sabina, it resulted that this product ‘corresponds to the category extra virgin olive oil as declared on the label’. Consequently, the Authority ruled that there was no ‘unfair business practice’.”
The decision of the Antitrust is the latest in a series of acts after the report by Il Test which in May 2015 commissioned an analysis of 20 olive oils labeled ‘extra virgin’ distributed and sold by the most popular supermarkets in Italy. Some were found to be merely virgin by the magazine due to the presence of organoleptic defects found by the panel tests.
The prosecutor of Turin consequently launched an investigation to verify the accusations.
In the meantime, Italian consumer associations complained to the Italian Antitrust Authority asking for measures towards the companies on the ground that they gave “untruthful commercial communications” presenting their products as extra virgin while belonging to the lower virgin olive oil category.
In May, the laboratory of the Central Inspectorate for the protection of quality and fraud prevention of food product (ICQRF) of the Ministry of Agriculture (Mipaaf) in Perugia, produced its report on Santa Sabina’s lot 15203, concluding that the analyzed sample “was found to comply with the declared type,” pointing out that for various reasons the previous analysis was not sufficient to base an assessment of unfair commercial practices.
As the antitrust decision reads, “the analyses carried out by Mipaaf-ICQRF are of the utmost reliability, since both the sampling operations and subsequent analysis were carried out by public bodies responsible for this type of control, which have certified each procedural step, from sampling to certification. Based on the results of the analysis, it has been certified that Santa Sabina corresponds to the category ‘extra virgin olive oil’ declared on the label.”
“We were confident about this decision which testifies our family’s commitment to quality,” Colavita told Olive Oil Times.
More articles on: olive oil fraud, Italy, olive oil grades
Jul. 5, 2023
Initiative in Italy to Restore Olive Cultivation in The Apennines
The 1,200-kilometer mountain chain is home to 207,000 hectares of abandoned olive groves which could substantially increase Italian olive oil production.
Nov. 21, 2023
The Agronomic and Macroeconomic Forces Behind Olive Oil Prices in Italy
Despite an anticipated production rebound in Italy, prices will likely remain high. Farmers will need to adapt to a new reality.
May. 30, 2023
Even an Abundant Harvest Would Not Ward Off Olive Oil Shortage in Italy
The general director of Assitol blamed an imbalanced market on poor harvests across the Mediterranean and the strategies of large retailers.
Feb. 26, 2024
New Law in Italy Establishes Role of Farmers in Protecting Environment
Along with protecting Italy’s natural landscapes and promoting the cultivation of traditional crops, the law seeks to curb the rural exodus with economic incentives.
Jan. 5, 2024
Buoyed by Awards, the Pope’s Official EVOO Producer Looks Ahead to Harvest
Pontiffs have traditionally favored extra virgin olive oils of Lazio. Domenico Sperlonga is following in the footsteps of his forefathers to serve Pope Francis.
Aug. 7, 2023
Olive Oil Production Returns to Pompeii 2,000 Years After Volcanic Eruption
Ministers and farming organizations tasted local extra virgin olive oil and table olives while promoting a UNESCO nomination for Italian cuisines.
Oct. 3, 2023
Optimism in Italy as Olive Harvest Gets Underway
While producers in southern Italy expect bumper crops, the fortunes of farmers in central and northern Italy are less certain.
Mar. 7, 2024
Ancient Olive Groves on Capri Are Reservoirs of Biodiversity
Researchers traced the origins of the island’s olive trees to Crete and mainland Italy and discovered 21 new varieties.