Australia is on track for a bumper year for olive oil, with a record production of 17 million litres of extra virgin oil expected for 2011. Favourable climatic conditions have boosted the industry after lower-than-anticipated yields last year. Olive harvesting is underway now in most states across the country and will continue through to July, according to the Australian Olive Association, the umbrella organisation for Australia olive growers and olive oil producers. Most of Australia’s olives... ...Read more »

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission investigation has discovered that some distributors may have misled consumers with assertions that their product was extra virgin olive oil. As such, three companies have agreed to carry out more testing to ensure they do not fall foul of the Trade Practices Act. “Certain importers, distributors and retailers will now conduct more testing to verify that the extra virgin olive oil they supply is as claimed,” ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuel,... ...Read more »