Brazil olive oil investigation reveals mislabeled products

Analyses conducted by Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa) have revealed that several olive oil brands marketed as ‘extra virgin’ actually meet the lower classification of ‘virgin’ oil. In more severe cases, some products were identified as ‘lampante’ oil, which is considered unfit for direct human consumption without prior refining.

The findings were released by the Federal Agricultural Defense Laboratory (LFDA) as part of a civil public action initiated by the Federal Public Ministry in São Paulo against Mapa and the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Brands identified as being downgraded to ‘virgin’ include Andorinha, Gallo, Borges, Gomes da Costa, Filippo Berio, and Carrefour. Brands Costa D’Oro and Terras de Camões were classified as ‘lampante’.

The Brazilian Institute of Oliviculture (Ibraoliva) has called for stricter oversight of imported oils, noting that these results validate previous complaints from domestic producers. Flávio Obino Filho, president of Ibraoliva, stated that some of these products are low-quality oils discarded in Europe that reach Brazilian shelves under false labeling.