It is possible that you are using an imitation that may harm your health: due to the shortage of olive oil and the rising prices in the world, there has recently been a significant increase in fake olive oil.
"We also see fakes in the category of oils that are not olive oils, of oils with all kinds of mixtures, and a more significant part are oils that are not suitable for consumption," says Dr. Adi Neli, director of the olive branch at the Plant Council. According to him, "there are standards for oil Olive and these oils are defined as light oil.
It is great to light candles with this oil, but of course not to prepare food for children.
"I think that it is necessary to prevent the possibility of endangering people with inappropriate things and the arrival of these oils on the shelf. The counterfeits have increased by significant percentages. We recognize the wave and are making great efforts to stop the wave together with the Ministry of Health. Quite a few oils are also now being inspected by the food service In the Ministry of Health, the Cracking Unit in the Ministry of Agriculture and the Council for Consumer Protection."
The story behind the best olive oil in Israel // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon
To the question of whether it is possible to identify fake oils, he answered: "It is impossible to see with the naked eye. You can check that it is a known manufacturer and a reliable source, and that the oil is not sold at a ridiculous price. In addition, the farmers receive a quality mark from us, which includes laboratory tests. Olive oil is a health food that is consumed for the benefit of health and taste. Many nutritionists recommend olive oil, but of course they do not recommend something that is lit by candles."
As mentioned, oil prices have risen significantly as a result of the shortage in the world.
An official in the food chain industry told "Israel Hayom" that "if about a year ago we were importing at a price of about 13 shekels before taxes, today it is 8.5 euros, which is an increase of about 40%. On this shelf the price has increased by 25-30% %. The cheapest prices are NIS 30-35, and there are also NIS 50-45. Importing from Turkey is cheaper and can cost 8 dollars, but consumers do not want from Turkey. In addition, the prices in the next transactions are expected to increase for us."
Olive oil, photo: GettyImages
Lots of recalls
Dr. Nali blames imports as the cause of the counterfeiting problem. According to him, "We see that they are trying to create counterfeits, whether it is oil that is not olive oil at all and is not good for health, or whether it is imported oils that do not pass inspection.
In importing, there is reliance on paperwork only, and therefore we see many recall cases in this field.
In the hard work of the Ministry of Health, they are trying to check these products on the shelves and prevent the presence of the oils on the shelves.
The Israeli consumer has reason to worry and this is not an easy situation.
"The fakes are only part of a crisis that threatens the Israeli olive oil industry - the issue of imports. It is possible that in this situation there will be no olive oil. We cut down the industry we are sitting on because of a long-standing policy that harmed the industry and increased imports.
"In addition, the war exacerbated and exacerbated the crisis in Israeli olive oil. Many growers are currently in reserves and could not reach the plots. 30-40% of the crop was not harvested. There were no working hands and there was a shortage of workers because of the Palestinian workers, and this deepened the difficulty and the understanding that the industry is in existential anxiety." .
Olive oils, photo: Itiel Zion
Attorney Amir Ofer, director of the food branch of the Union of Chambers of Commerce, referred to imports and said that "the food branch of the Union of Chambers of Commerce strongly supports the removal of import barriers, reducing tariffs and increasing competitiveness.
We believe that the quota system as a whole creates distortions in the market and limits the importer's ability to open a market for the product.
We are very aware of the importance of the local cultivation of olives and the development of this activity.
The state should support them directly and not through indirect support in the form of tariffs that the entire public pays for."
Olive oil created in Beit Haved, photo: Itiel Zion
"endangering the public"
The Ministry of Health stated: "The Food Service conducts sampling and control of locally produced and imported olive oil, with various tools available to the Ministry to test olive oil, including performing laboratory samples of the products as the need arises.
"Fake olive oils may endanger the public's health in a variety of ways, including failure to declare appropriate allergens, light oil that is not intended for food, and more."
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