Imported 'extra virgin' olive oil increasingly failing quality tests

By Esther Han, Consumer Affairs Editor
Updated May 30 2016 - 10:33am, first published May 5 2016 - 3:25pm
Olive oil harvesting has begun at Cobram Estate Groves in Boundary Bend, Victoria. Photo: Esther Han
Olive oil harvesting has begun at Cobram Estate Groves in Boundary Bend, Victoria. Photo: Esther Han
At Cobram Estate groves, freshly-picked olives must be sent to the processing plant in two hours to maintain quality. Photo: Esther Han
At Cobram Estate groves, freshly-picked olives must be sent to the processing plant in two hours to maintain quality. Photo: Esther Han
The majority of olive oil products labelled "extra virgin" in Australia don't meet the voluntary standard.
The majority of olive oil products labelled "extra virgin" in Australia don't meet the voluntary standard.

The vast majority of imported "extra virgin olive oil" in Australian supermarkets fails to meet local and international standards, renewing concerns shoppers are paying a premium for inferior products.