USDA Extends Quality Monitoring Program to Olive Oil

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the expansion of its Quality Monitoring Program to include extra virgin and organic extra virgin olive oil. According to an April 3, 2012, post on the USDA blog, the program hopes to address questions raised in the last few years about olive oil quality and provide consumers with assurance that the products they purchase meet grade standards.

Under the program, which already evaluates other commodities such as canned, frozen and fresh fruits and vegetables, the Agricultural Marketing Service will verify “olive oil quality and purity using criteria based on the U.S. grade standards . . . and international criteria,” as well as conduct “unannounced plant visits to review product processes, quality assurance measures, and recordkeeping systems.” Products from the first program participant, Baltimore-based Pompeian, Inc., have reportedly met “chemical testing and flavor analysis requirements” and the company has agreed to additional site inspections.