The olive oil industry in Italy is plagued by fraud and counterfeiting, where criminal organizations blend high-quality olive oil with lower-grade oils to produce counterfeit products. These illicit activities are highly profitable and often involve sophisticated techniques that make detection difficult, leading to risks for consumer health and economic damage to legitimate producers.

Specialized police units, like the NAS, are actively working to combat these crimes, using advanced technologies and international collaboration. In 2023, they seized 380 tons of illegal olive oil worth over €2 million, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Investigations reveal that criminal networks often manipulate the production process and falsify records to market counterfeit products as genuine extra virgin olive oil. These operations involve complex schemes that include international trade, blending, and advanced fraud techniques, making enforcement challenging and requiring ongoing efforts from both national and international agencies.

Buying from local suppliers like Apollo Olive Oil, known for their short supply chains, can help ensure you receive high-quality products. These short supply chains reduce the risk of adulteration and fraud, as the entire production process is more transparent and easier to monitor. By supporting local producers, consumers can have greater confidence in the authenticity and quality of the olive oil they purchase.

For more detailed information on how olive oil fraud operates and the methods used by Italian law enforcement to combat it, visit this article.