Two supermarket olive oil brands may pose health risk says French consumer organisation
Oil revealed as having the lowest level of pollutants is surprisingly affordable
Some oils contained high amounts of plasticisers and potential carcinogens
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A leading French consumer organisation is warning supermarket shoppers about the potential dangers of two olive oil brands after a study revealed abnormally high levels of certain chemicals.
Consumer rights magazine 60 Millions de consommateurs compared 21 extra virgin olive oils sold in French supermarkets (and one additional locally-produced olive oil).
Due to the natural methods used to extract oil (mechanical pressing), these oils should have fewer chemicals present than other oils.
Oils classified as ‘extra virgin’ in the EU must adhere to strict production practices, which minimise the risk of additional chemicals entering during the manufacturing process.
However, the study found that two brands – Carapelli Bio and Terra Delyssa – have high levels of DEHP, a phthalate that can affect the endocrine system.
Carapelli Bio had DEHP levels of 4.8 mg/kg, Terra Delyssa 3.5mg/kg.
The plasticiser is not currently banned by EU regulations – it is set to be banned from certain medical devices, such as blood bags and disposable gloves, from 2030 onwards – but foods that come into contact with it during production or storage can absorb some of it.
Until a few years ago several products including oils could contain upwards of 20mg/kg of the plasticiser, meaning levels have lowered considerably.
Both products also recorded high levels of MOSH (Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons) and MOAH (Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons, potential carcinogens, and were criticised for their poor taste and advanced levels of oxidation.
The EU is introducing draft legislation to introduce maximum limits of the chemicals in food products which enter the product through the production, stocking, and transportation process.
This makes them particularly difficult to counter even when using the production methods required for ‘extra virgin’ olive oil.
The study has not resulted in any official warnings or product recalls.
You can read the full study here (paywall article).
Recommended olive oil from low-cost supermarket
At the same time, the study recommended Primadonna olive oil from Lidl as the best option, costing €6.99 for 750ml – considerably cheaper than the two above.
It was the lowest-ranked oil for traces of pollutants, and was noted for a good taste, scoring 16/20 overall in the study.
Getting hold of it may be difficult however as workers from the supermarket are currently on strike from Thursdays - Sundays.
