North American Olive Oil Association facts for kids
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| Formation | 1989 |
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| Type | Trade association |
| Purpose | Represents producers, packagers and importers of olive oil. Performs testing of olive oils. |
The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA) is a group of companies. These companies produce, package, and import olive oil. The organization started in 1989. Its main goal is to make sure olive oil is good quality.
Contents
Making Sure Olive Oil is Good Quality
The North American Olive Oil Association helps make sure olive oil is high quality. They offer a special seal that shows an olive oil has been tested.
How the Quality Seal Works
Companies that are members of the NAOOA can get this seal. They pay a fee and send their olive oils for tests. The oils are tested twice a year. They must meet rules from the International Olive Council (IOC). This council sets worldwide standards for olive oil. The oils are also tasted by experts to check their flavor and smell.
Unlike other testing groups, the NAOOA buys olive oil samples from stores. This means they test the exact same products that people buy. This helps ensure fairness and accuracy.
Testing Olive Oil for Standards
The NAOOA regularly buys olive oil from stores. They test these random samples to make sure they meet the IOC standards. If an oil does not meet the standards, the company is told. If needed, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also informed.
In 2013, the NAOOA took legal action against a company. This company was selling oil labeled as olive oil. But it was actually "pomace oil," made from olive pits and skins. A judge ordered the company to change its labels or take the product off shelves.
What the NAOOA Does
The NAOOA works to share facts about olive oil. They also help set rules for its quality.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil
The North American Olive Oil Association asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a health claim for olive oil. They wanted to say that healthy fats in olive oil can lower the risk of heart disease. The FDA agreed in 2004. This means companies can now mention this health benefit on their olive oil labels.
Discussing Olive Oil Quality Claims
The NAOOA has disagreed with claims from the University of California, Davis Olive Center. The Olive Center suggested that many olive oils in stores were not real. The NAOOA pointed out that the Olive Center wants to help California olive oil. They felt this made the Olive Center's claims unfair to imported olive oils.
Learning About Olive Oil Use
In 2014, the NAOOA asked for a study about how people in the USA use olive oil. The study found that only 25% of people who use olive oil felt they knew a lot about it. This showed that many people wanted to learn more.
In 2015, the organization ordered a report about California's olive oil standards. The report tested California olive oils. It found that many did not meet California's own rules. Some also failed the international standards set by the International Olive Council.
The NAOOA has also helped states like New York, Connecticut, Oregon, and California. They helped these states use the international rules for olive oil quality.
