Italy's Agriculture Ministry bans misleading extra‑virgin olive oil labels

On 16 July the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forests (MASAF) issued a circular that restricts the use of the term “extra‑virgin olive oil” to products that belong to that quality category without any blending with lower‑grade olive oil. According to the circular, mixtures of extra‑virgin and virgin olive oil may no longer be marketed under the extra‑virgin label. Minister Francesco Lollobrigida said the measure aims to guarantee transparent labeling, protect consumers and preserve the value of Italy’s olive‑oil sector.

The change addresses a long‑standing practice that allowed producers to label blended oils as extra‑virgin, misleading buyers and distorting the market. Coldiretti data show Italy produces about 234 million L of extra‑virgin olive oil annually but consumes roughly 461 million L, importing around 545 million L while exporting 318 million L. Officials stress that stronger controls, traceability and possibly genetic mapping will be needed to enforce the new rules and safeguard the “green gold” of the national agri‑food chain.