Labeling problems, unfounded mentions, deceptive commercial practices: olive oils marketed in France have “an anomaly rate still too high”, indicated on Wednesday the repression of fraud (DGCCRF) on the basis of controls carried out in 2021.
A very high non-confirmation rate
The DGCCRF said it wanted to maintain “active surveillance” of the sector, which is already the subject of several investigations, due to a non-compliance rate that “is still very high,” it said in a press release.
Of the 211 controlled establishments (producers, distributors and retailers, etc.) in the main producing departments as well as in Ile-de-France, 39% presented anomalies.
And the anomaly rate exceeds 80% for the 130 products analyzed with the aim of determining the categories of olive oil, its origin or the presence of mixed oils.
Among the problems encountered, the repression of fraud cites in particular the revaluation of virgin olive oils to extra virgin, labeling defects relating to the origin or the producing entity, the presence of unauthorized pesticides in organic farming, anomalies relating to nutritional claims, non-compliance with the provisions relating to consumer information (best before date, for example) or even misleading commercial practices.
These anomalies led to four criminal reports, 17 injunctions to return to compliance with labeling information, and 65 warnings.
According to the DGCCRF, in France about 110,000 tons of olive oil are consumed each year.
Source: BFM TV
