The Australian Olive Association (AOA) has applauded Australian supermarket chain Coles on its decision to comply with the voluntary Australian Standard for Olive Oils and Olive Pomace Oils by the end of 2012. The acceptance by Coles of the Australian Standard will see the removal of ambiguous or inappropriate labels such as “pure” and “light.” Coles Merchandise director John Durkan has confirmed that all Coles brand olive oils, whether Australian made or imported, will meet the Australian... ...Read more »

Some of Australia’s best-known olive oil producers have revealed that pressures from the high Australian dollar, adverse weather conditions and aggressive pricing of major marketers, are all impacting on their profitability. Western Australia’s Frankland River Olive Company has said in its latest report to the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that domestic packaged sales in the June 2012 quarter were less than the previous year. “This is a result of aggressive pricing from some of the major... ...Read more »

Studies released on 4 July 2012 in the international peer-reviewed journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research (MNFR) based in Germany address the effects of foods such as oats, virgin olive oil, and ruminant trans fat on atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Oats may have antiatherogenic properties An article by Swedish researchers Dr Kristina E. Andersson and Per Hellstrand reinforces that oats are a “heart-healthy” food. Previous studies have convincingly shown that oats can lower... ...Read more »

South Australian company, The Big Olive Company, has been fined only AU$13,200 despite labelling products as ‘extra virgin olive oil’ when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said they were not. The Big Olive Company produces, bottles and supplies edible oil under a number of brand names, including Oz Olio. Between December 2010 and March 2011, The Big Olive Company supplied nearly three thousand 500ml bottles of “Oz Olio” oil with a representation of extra... ...Read more »

Australian growers who supply product for oils made from olive, canola, sunflower and soybean have criticised the latest Australian government health recommendations on dietary guidelines for for oils and fats. The draft Australian Dietary Guidelines and Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, developed by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) which is the Federal government’s peak body for developing health advice for Australians, were revised for the first time in eight years in... ...Read more »

The collapse of global olive oil prices and the volatile market conditions for olive oil producers from Europe and North Africa are being blamed for one of Australia’s largest olive oil producers, Kailis Organic Olive Oil Groves Group, going into receivership, according to the receivers, KordaMentha. Others are saying that the financial woes encountered by the company are partially self-made and attributable to a failed managerial investment scheme, creating refinancing difficulty. Kailis Organic... ...Read more »

Producers and consumers of olive oil will gather at the 2011 National Conference and Trade Exhibition in Wangaratta today, to discuss issues currently facing the industry, including its relationship with consumers. Described by Homer as ‘liquid gold’ and worshipped by Mediterranean for centuries, olive oil has had a particularly ‘issue-filled’ year in Australia. Companies have been accused of misleading consumers, for example, by labeling oils ‘extra virgin’ when they were not. More recently,... ...Read more »

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 »

A new meta-analysis of 50 studies, including half a million subjects, has confirmed that eating a Mediterranean diet has a wide variety of health benefits for lifestyle diseases The Mediterranean diet includes lots of olives and olive oil (a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids), fruits, vegetables and wholegrain cereals, low-fat dairy, fish, nuts, and legumes, and moderate alcohol consumption with meals, but relatively little red meat. The Mediterranean diet, according to Dr. Panagiotakos... ...Read more »

ALDI’s Olive Tree Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been awarded Product of the Year in the Cooking Ingredient category in the 2011 Product of the Year Survey of Innovation. Stefan Kopp, ALDI Managing Director – Buying, said that the supermarket is very proud of its olive oil products, and is honoured and delighted to have won the Award. “We are passionate about quality and work tirelessly with our suppliers to ensure our products are the best they can be. This award is a reflection... ...Read more »