The European Union demands stricter quality controls for olive oil.

European Court of Auditors Warns of Shortcomings in Olive Oil Inspection and Recommends Strengthening Traceability Throughout the Production Chain

The European Court of Auditors has released a report identifying significant gaps in olive oil quality control systems in the European Union, despite the existence of a comprehensive legal framework.

The audit, which analyzed inspection mechanisms between 2018 and 2023 in four countries – Belgium, Greece, Spain, and Italy – reveals that not all Member States fully comply with control requirements, which could compromise the authenticity, safety, and traceability of the product that consumers buy.

What the audit revealed

Europe is responsible for 61% of world olive oil production and 45% of global consumption. Portugal accounts for 8% of European production, with olive growing concentrated mainly in the Alentejo, Beira Interior, Trás-os-Montes, and Alto Douro regions.

The report concludes that, although European legislation establishes clear rules on compliance controls, laboratory analyses, and organoleptic assessments, not all countries carry out the minimum number of required controls or analyze all mandatory parameters.

Among the shortcomings detected:

• Incomplete laboratory analyses in some Member States

• Exclusion of certain parts of the market (such as online sales or imports) from control plans

• Sanction systems that are not always dissuasive or effective

• Difficulties in the traceability of olive oils of mixed origin

Degradation over time: the most common problem

A relevant fact: most cases of non-compliance are related to the degradation of olive oil over time, detected through organoleptic evaluation (sensory analysis by tasting panels).

Factors such as excessively long shelf lives, inadequate storage (exposure to light and heat), and mixing olive oils from different harvest years contribute to this situation. The report warns that many operators and consumers are unaware of olive oil's sensitivity to these conditions.

Olive Oil Traceability

The Court tested 24 virgin and extra virgin olive oils from different origins. In four cases, it was not possible to confirm the origin indicated on the label, especially in products of mixed origin (various Member States or EU + third countries).

Spain and Italy emerge as positive examples by using mandatory electronic records, where all movements of olives and olive oil are documented — from the olive grove to the final consumer. These systems, although not fully required by European legislation, allow for complete traceability, greater transparency, and increased consumer confidence.

Azeite a Norte: digital traceability as a guarantee of authenticity

In Portugal, and particularly in Trás-os-Montes, olive oil traceability is a commitment to authenticity, quality, and trust. It is in this context that Azeite a Norte positions itself at the forefront of innovation.

Azeite a Norte is participating in a pilot project for digital traceability of olive oil in partnership with DataColab, an initiative that allows tracking the entire journey of olive oil, from the olive grove to the bottle, through secure and transparent digital systems. This model directly addresses European recommendations and anticipates the future demands of the olive oil sector.

With this solution, consumers can:

• Confirm the true origin of the olive oil

• Know the producer, the harvest, and the batch

• Have greater assurance of authenticity and quality

• Reinforce confidence in Portuguese olive oil of controlled origin

This project demonstrates that traceability is not just a technical obligation, but a tool for adding value to olive oil from Trás-os-Montes, especially for producers who work with traditional olive groves, native varieties, and sustainable practices.

👉 Learn more about the Azeite a Norte traceability project and watch the explanatory video: https://www.azeiteanorte.pt/rastreabilidade

European Recommendations

The ECA recommends that the European Commission:

• Strengthen the supervision of national control systems

• Clarify rules on blending olive oils of different categories or years

• Improve guidelines on contaminant controls

• Encourage the creation of electronic traceability records

• Support the harmonization of systems between countries

What this means for the consumer

For those who buy olive oil, these changes promise greater security: knowing the real origin, confirming the category (extra virgin, virgin), and having a guarantee of authenticity. For producers who work with honesty and quality – like so many in Trás-os-Montes – more rigorous controls mean fair recognition of their work.

Note: This content was prepared based on the European Court of Auditors' report on olive oil quality controls in the European Union, supplemented by training information disseminated by SAPO.