Following the case of 3,200 gallons of untraceable oil seized in Tuscany last month, another scandal arising from the scarcity of Italian olive oil was uncovered this week.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced that the Central Inspectorate for the protection of the quality and fraud prevention of food products discovered the manipulation of invoices for 500,000 liters of olive oil falsely passed off as Italian, for a total trade value of €3 million.
The operation, called “Paper Oil,” led to eleven searches and eight persons under investigation in Apulia, Calabria, Tuscany and Liguria.
The investigators retraced the scam system the criminals used: Companies from Apulia and Calabria forged documentation about the Italian origin of extra virgin olive oil of unknown sources, to be delivered to bottling companies certified as “Made in Italy,” and then packaged and distributed to the marketplace.
The eight suspects are accused of agribusiness fraud and tax evasion.
The Minister of Agriculture, Maurizio Martina, said: “The Ministry has strengthened controls on the oil supply chain because the decline in production this year is exposing the oil sector to the risk of an increase of the frauds cases. The operation ‘Paper Oil’ is a proof of our commitment to safeguard consumers and thousands of honest producers already facing the current crisis.”
“The action of checking traceability has been enhanced so we can trace the products from their entrance to the ports up to their processing and marketing. We need to state very clearly there is no room for people breaking the rules. Our Inspectorate for protection of the quality and fraud prevention works every day very meticulously while confirming the efficiency of our anti-fraud system.”
Related Articles
Jan. 3, 2024
Tuscany Announces Funds to Prevent Olive Grove Abandonment
The measures are meant to encourage growers to take care of abandoned olive trees in difficult terrains and maintain them to prevent wildfire and pest development
Mar. 6, 2024
Xylella May Not Be Responsible for Olive Tree Devastation in Puglia, Study Finds
The findings could unravel a decade of policy and understanding that Xylella fastidiosa was the leading cause of Olive Quick Decline Syndrome in Puglia.
Aug. 19, 2024
The Many Values in Recovering Abandoned Olive Groves in Tuscany
Fil Bucchino, Andrea Pagliai and Gionni Pruneti produce extra virgin olive oil from recovered trees to benefit communities and the environment.
Nov. 14, 2024
Italian Growers Face Disappointing Yields
In northern and central Italy, many producers are seeing below-average oil yields. In the south, yields are normal but there's far less fruit.
Oct. 31, 2024
Study Suggests Stink Bug Caused Mysterious Fruit Drop in Italy
The brown marmorated stink bug has been identified in Italian and Greek olive groves. Increasing evidence now links its presence to an early fruit drop in northern Italy.
Apr. 16, 2024
Small Producers, Oleotourism Take Center Stage at Ercole Olivario
The winners of the main competition will participate in the Shelf Life Monitoring Project, which will help improve best practices for producers and consumers.
Nov. 27, 2023
Producers Behind Loco Galbasa Achieve Childhood Dream, World-Class Quality
The Sicilian brand Loco Galbasa combines the pursuit of quality and the commitment to environmental sustainability.
Nov. 7, 2024
Award-Winning Tuscan Producer Opens Olive Oil-Centric Restaurant
The Extra Floor Restaurant in Greve, Chianti, features the award-winning extra virgin olive oil of Frantoio Pruneti in a range of traditional Tuscan dishes.