California Introduces Olive Oil Quality Standards

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has approved grading and labeling standards for California olive oil, which are scheduled to take beginning Friday, in time for the upcoming olive harvest season.

The standards were recommended by the recently formed California Olive Oil Commission – brought into existence by olive oil producers in recognition of their fast-growing industry. 

The standards will set California-specific guidelines that will apply to handlers producing 5,000 gallons or more of olive oil made from olives grown in California. Importers and distributors of bulk olive oil produced outside of California as well as smaller-scale, in-state millers are exempt from the standards.

“California agriculture has an enviable reputation for high-quality products sought by consumers here and around the world,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “We believe the time has come to designate a ‘California-grown’ olive oil, and these standards are an excellent way to do it.”

The standards, which are based on scientific research at the University of California-Davis Olive Center, are unique to California production – only extra-virgin olive oil is produced in California, and the standards will establish a more stringent limit for free fatty acids, a negative attribute that signals a breakdown of olive oil quality because of exposure to heat, light and oxygen. 

The standards will be the first in the world to require testing of every lot of oil produced.