Olive oil under threat of EU ban

An upcoming European regulation will force olive oil producers to change their production methods or see their product labeled as unfit for consumption.

The regulation, expected to be issued in September, imposes limits on the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), organic substances known to cause cancer or harmful mutations to mammals. Virgin olive oil should be free of PAH, but contamination may occur during the processing in olive mills or because of olive skin contamination through smoke or air pollution.

One important reason for the presence of PAH is the farmers' practice of pruning the trees while gathering the olives. The chemicals used to lubricate the chainsaws contain PAH. The latter are also found in chemicals used to make the jute sacks used to carry the olives tougher and waterproof.

Two olive oil producers' associations want the...