The warning over adulterated olive oil, which led the Junta de Extremadura to freeze 11 brands for an alleged crime against public health and fraud, is more serious than originally reported. The General Directorate of Public Health of the Extremadura Health Service (SES) has received a report from the Fraud and Agricultural Quality Unit, which interpreted analytical results carried out on oil samples.
The Food Safety and Environmental Health Sector has indicated to the FACUA Extremadura that they have taken 17 samples of stabilized oils for analysis at the Extremadura Agrifood Laboratory, where they examined Organoleptic analysis of all virgin oils (13) and physico-chemical analysis of the rest, concluding that 13 additional virgin oil samples were classified as lampante, unfit for human consumption.
Denominations taken out of the market are La Esmeralda, Varedo, Acebuche, Virgen del Guadiana, Cortijo del Oro, La Campina de Andalucia, Galliacite 2022, La Abadia, Aromas Villa de Jerez, Don Jane and Imperio Andaluz.
The Extremadura Health Service “in view of the physico-chemical results” also noted that some of these oils were withdrawn from the market. Mixed with rapeseed, cake or seed oil, To date, the Directorate General of Public Health It stabilized around 70,000 liters of these adulterated oils that were packaged in 5-litre plastic bottles and sold in markets, shops and gas stations in this autonomous community and in Andalusia.
The Junta de Extremadura informs FACUA that Seprona has prepared a report on investigations carried out in collaboration with pharmacists and veterinarians of the Extremadura Health System, which have been brought to the attention of the Zafra Regional Prosecutor’s Office. Those responsible face crimes against public health.
Consumers who have purchased any of these affected products may approach the concerned establishment to request a refund of the price paid or its replacement with a new product as per the regulations, recalls FACUA.
