Analysis of the range and quality of olive oil

Abstract. Assortment falsification and low quality of expensive imported food products contribute to the development of mistrust on the part of consumers and, thereby, decrease their sales volumes, which impedes the expansion of sales markets and profit from sales. The aim of the research was to study the assortment and quality of olive oil sold on the commodity market. The studies used generally accepted test methods: marketing, organoleptic, physico-chemical, statistical. Results. It has been established that the assortment of olive oils is represented by 24 names of products: mainly unrefined by the production method, of Spanish origin, in green glass bottles of 0.5 l and 0.25 l, with a price range of 1 liter from 479.9 rubles. (trademark “Altera”) up to 1220 rubles. (trademark “Borges”). The labeling of the samples taken for testing of unrefined olive oil Extra Virgin Olive Oil of the “Borges” and “Sitia” brands and the refined Olive oil of the “Fillippo Berio” trademark was complete and complies with the requirements of current technical regulations. Consumer labeling of „Olivesco“ brand squeezed oil needs to be corrected in the name and composition of the products. The quality of consumer packaging, sensory and physico-chemical (relative density, refractive index, color number, acidity, acid and peroxide numbers) indicators were within the Russian and international standards. The best example of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be considered “Sitia” brand products, which have confirmed their status of Protected Appellation of Origin (PDO). The scientific novelty of the research is to identify the quality of oils for compliance with the requirements of the international regulatory document – CODEX STAN 33-1981, REV.2-2003, developed by the Codex Alimentarius and adopted by the FAO / WHO International Commission.