Filippo Berio facts for kids

Filippo Berio is a famous brand of olive oil that comes from Italy. The oil is made from olives grown in Italy, Greece, Spain, and Tunisia. Besides different types of olive oil, the brand also sells wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, pesto, and olives.

History of Filippo Berio

A merchant named Filippo Berio started selling olive oil under his own name in Italy in 1850. His company became known for exporting excellent olive oil from Lucca.

Growing the Business

By 1899, the Filippo Berio brand was advertised in important Italian publications. The ads mentioned the company as "Filippo Berio & Co." and said it was founded in 1856. This shows how quickly the brand grew and became well-known.

Dealing with Fake Products

Around 1911, some people started selling fake Filippo Berio products. These products were not real olive oil. For example, some were mostly cottonseed oil with only a little bit of olive oil mixed in. The company worked to stop these fake products. They wanted to make sure customers always got the real, high-quality olive oil they expected.

The SALOV Company

In 1919, Filippo Berio's daughter, Albertina, along with Giovanni Silvestrina and Dino Fontana, started a new company. They called it Società per Azioni Lucchese Olii e Vini, which is now known as SALOV. Today, SALOV has a large factory in Massarosa, near Lucca, where they produce the oils.

Since 2014, the SALOV Group, which owns Filippo Berio, has been mostly owned by a Chinese company called Bright Food.

Global Reach

The Filippo Berio brand is sold all over the world in more than 65 countries. It is one of the most popular olive oil brands in the United States and the United Kingdom. In Italy, SALOV sells its products under a different brand name called "Sagra."

Marketing and Fun Campaigns

Filippo Berio has created some memorable advertisements.

Famous TV Ads

In 2007, the brand became very popular because of its TV commercials. These ads used a famous song called "Largo al Factotum" (Figaro's Aria) from the opera The Barber of Seville. Instead of singing "Figaro," the ads sang "Filippo Berio, Filippo Berio, Filippo Berio Olive Oil!" This made the ads catchy and easy to remember.

National Spaghetti Bolognese Day

In 2024, the Filippo Berio team in the UK started the first-ever National Spaghetti Bolognese Day. This special day, held on May 22nd, celebrates the popular dish, Spaghetti Bolognese. It's a chance to learn about the history and traditions behind one of the UK's favorite meals.

Images for kids

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  Filippo Berio olive oils in a Hong Kong supermarket in 2021.