{"id":6583,"date":"2022-08-04T09:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-04T09:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/"},"modified":"2026-08-06T06:38:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-06T06:38:47","slug":"counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Counterfeit Oil: How to Recognize It and Avoid Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_counterfeiting_of_extra_virgin_olive_oil\"><\/span>The counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In the gastronomic landscape, the counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil is one of the most widespread, not only for oil sales in Italy but also for distribution worldwide. Our oil, in fact, is used in the preparation of many Italian dishes, even abroad. The problem lies precisely in identifying non-counterfeit extra virgin olive oil because producers of <strong>fake extra virgin olive oil<\/strong> are often found.   <\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_86 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Indice<\/div>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #343e3d;color:#343e3d\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #343e3d;color:#343e3d\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#The_counterfeiting_of_extra_virgin_olive_oil\" >The counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#Types_of_oil_counterfeiting\" >Types of oil counterfeiting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#Counterfeit_oil_how_to_detect_it\" >Counterfeit oil: how to detect it<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#Pay_attention_to_the_label\" >Pay attention to the label<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#Pay_attention_to_the_price\" >Pay attention to the price<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/counterfeit-oil-how-to-recognize-it-and-avoid-scams\/#Pay_attention_to_organoleptic_properties\" >Pay attention to organoleptic properties<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INDEX <\/strong><\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#tipologie-di-contraffazioni-dell'olio\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#tipologie-di-contraffazioni-dell'olio\">Types of oil counterfeiting<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#olio-contraffatto:-come-scoprirlo\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#olio-contraffatto:-come-scoprirlo\">Counterfeit oil: how to detect it<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#attenzione-all\u2019etichetta\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#attenzione-all\u2019etichetta\">Pay attention to the label<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#attenzione-al-prezzo\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#attenzione-al-prezzo\">Pay attention to the price<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#attenzione-alle-propriet\u00e0-organolettiche\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#attenzione-alle-propriet\u00e0-organolettiche\">Pay attention to organoleptic properties<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We should remember that Italy is the second largest producer of olive oil after Spain and before Greece. Among other non-European oil-producing countries, we find Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, and Morocco. Only we in Italy, however, can boast a varied production as we have approximately <strong>500 types of olives<\/strong>, and the characteristics of extra virgin olive oil are well defined. In fact, while olive oil can have an acidity level of up to 2%, that of extra virgin olive oil cannot exceed 0.8% and must be extracted using only mechanical methods (here you will find our <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-evo-significato-e-differenza-con-olio-oliva\/\">in-depth analysis<\/a>).   <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let us now see what the main types of counterfeiting are that we can find on the market, and then define how to recognize them and avoid scams.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"tipologie-di-contraffazioni-dell'olio\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_oil_counterfeiting\"><\/span>Types of oil counterfeiting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Among the worst frauds we can mention regarding olive oil are health frauds, which can be the most dangerous, and commercial frauds, less dangerous to health but more widespread.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By defining health frauds, we mean those that affect food quality, which is compromised.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We speak of <strong>health counterfeiting<\/strong> with regard to:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Alterations<\/strong> or modifications of the composition, with consequent variation of organoleptic characteristics or incorrect storage or sale of expired oil;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Adulterations<\/strong> if lower quality raw materials are used;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sophistications<\/strong> if foreign substances are added to improve its appearance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If we want to define <strong>commercial counterfeiting<\/strong>, we can speak of:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Falsifications<\/strong> when olive oil is sold, for example, as extra virgin olive oil;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Counterfeiting<\/strong> when one wants to make the product appear more valuable than it is, giving it, for example, a controlled designation of origin that it does not actually have.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having made this general premise, the most common frauds to watch out for are:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Blending with other vegetable oils<\/strong> of lower quality or with <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/olive-pomace-oil-what-it-is-and-how-to-use-it-correctly\/\">pomace oil<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Oil substitution<\/strong>: for example, olive oil sold as extra virgin olive oil;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improper use of <strong>protected designation of origin<\/strong> (PDO);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Incorrect, misleading labeling<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#ededed\">Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/unfiltered-oil-properties-differences-and-curiosities\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-non-filtrato-proprieta-differenze-curiosita\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Unfiltered oil: properties, differences, and curiosities<\/a><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Having established that these are the main scams regarding extra virgin olive oil, let us see how to protect ourselves from these and from the possible purchase of counterfeit extra virgin oil.<\/p>\n\n<h2 id=\"olio-contraffatto:-come-scoprirlo\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Counterfeit_oil_how_to_detect_it\"><\/span>Counterfeit oil: how to detect it<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Italy, we are among the largest producers of extra virgin olive oil but also among the <strong>largest consumers<\/strong>. We are therefore interested in understanding how to recognize any fraud, even on supermarket shelves, to protect ourselves from counterfeit foods and safeguard ourselves, both for our health and our wallet. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let us therefore see what the best methods are to verify that the oil is not counterfeit.<\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"attenzione-all\u2019etichetta\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay_attention_to_the_label\"><\/span>Pay attention to the label<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have already written in the past about <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/extra-virgin-olive-oil-how-to-read-the-label\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-di-oliva-come-leggere-letichetta\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how to read the label<\/a>, but if you are faced with a poorly detailed label, simply <strong>refrain from purchasing<\/strong>. The label of a controlled designation of origin extra virgin oil contains a lot of information. You should find data such as the origin of the raw material, the pressing of the olives, or the region where it is produced and cultivated.   <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#ededed\">Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/unfiltered-oil-properties-differences-and-curiosities\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-non-filtrato-proprieta-differenze-curiosita\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Calories<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/olive-oil-calories-and-nutritional-values\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/calorie-olio-doliva-valori-nutrizionali\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">of Olive<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/unfiltered-oil-properties-differences-and-curiosities\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-non-filtrato-proprieta-differenze-curiosita\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Oil and Nutritional Values<\/a><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also note if the <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/extra-virgin-olive-oil-expiration-when-to-avoid-using-it-in-the-kitchen\/\">expiration date<\/a> is indicated, which must be 18 months from production. But the data that must be reported on the label, by law, are many and detailed. Here we add only a few to those already mentioned: <strong>information on the oil category and production process<\/strong>, storage conditions, the producer&#8217;s company name, the batch, the nutritional declaration, and data on the harvest campaign.  <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If some of this data is missing or incomplete, it is better to choose another oil purchase, because <strong>incomplete labeling is not in compliance with the law<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Furthermore, we want to warn you also about misleading statements that should not be reported, such as for example:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;prevents cardiovascular diseases&#8221;;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>&#8220;genuine oil&#8221;.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is because they are phrases that can lead to a purchase based on misleading benefits. But let us now move on to other indicative data for verifying extra virgin olive oil. <\/p>\n\n<h3 id=\"attenzione-al-prezzo\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay_attention_to_the_price\"><\/span>Pay attention to the price<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We would all like to save money, but often doing so on food quality is not a good thing. If you find a <strong>price that is too low<\/strong> on the shelf, below \u20ac8 per liter, the quality may not be what is claimed. Therefore, it is better to consider saving on something else or at most think about using a little less of it, but do not try to save on the price of extra virgin olive oil.  <\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-background wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"background-color:#ededed\">Read also: <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-evo-significato-e-differenza-con-olio-oliva\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-evo-significato-e-differenza-con-olio-oliva\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EVO Oil: What It Is and Difference with Olive Oil<\/a><\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<h3 id=\"attenzione-alle-propriet\u00e0-organolettiche\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay_attention_to_organoleptic_properties\"><\/span>Pay attention to organoleptic properties<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you purchase extra virgin olive oil, it must have characteristics that distinguish it from others. For this reason, if color, taste, and smell are not its own, you may have fallen into a scam. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let us see what the characteristics of extra virgin olive oil are that you can recognize immediately:<\/p>\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Intense <strong>color<\/strong>, ranging from golden yellow to green, almost emerald (non-extra virgin is lighter, less intense);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>smell<\/strong> of extra virgin olive oil is unmistakable and you must immediately perceive the smell of olives, fresh, reminiscent of an olive leaf rubbed on your hands;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>taste<\/strong>, fruity, pleasant, should leave a slight sensation of bitterness in the mouth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are a lover of <a href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/evo-oil-and-olive-oil-how-to-choose\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/olio-evo\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">EVO <strong>oil<\/strong><\/a>, you will have no difficulty distinguishing these characteristics of the oil and will be careful in choosing the best products for your table, <strong>without risking scams<\/strong>, especially regarding quality.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In any case, when in doubt, we recommend comparing multiple labels. <\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Comparing the various statements will make it easier for you to search for any missing data and, even at a glance, you will be able to find any fraud.<\/p>\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-3e41869c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/shop\/\">Discover Contedoro&#8217;s Award-Winning EVO Oil<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil In the gastronomic landscape, the counterfeiting of extra virgin olive oil is one of the most widespread, not only for oil sales in Italy but also for distribution worldwide. Our oil, in fact, is used in the preparation of many Italian dishes, even abroad. The problem lies precisely [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6584,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_angie_page":false,"page_builder":"","_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[133],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6583","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips-and-curiosities-about-oil"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6583","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6583"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6583\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7227,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6583\/revisions\/7227"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6584"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6583"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6583"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/contedoro.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6583"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}