Consumer protection and safeguards: proper information on the geographical origin of ingredients. The case of olive oils

Since the nineties of the previous century, qualified geographic names have been covered by a harmonised EU-wide protection system whose main feature is the recognition of exclusive rights. Such rights are generally parallel to those deriving from the registration of a brand. Accordingly, they are not solely protected by the measures provided in the rules on unfair competition but also by a EU protection system based on granting the group of traders that had sought and obtained recognition of the protected designation of origin or geographical indication a monopoly over the use of a given geographic name and the possibility to seek remedy against any unlawful use of it. In this sense, the information provided generally benefits the market as well as merchants and consumers.

A New Method for Olive Oil Screening Using Multivariate Analysis of Proton NMR Spectra

A new NMR-based method for the discrimination of olive oils of any grade from seed oils and mixtures thereof was developed with the aim of allowing the verification of olive oil authenticity. Ten seed oils and seven monovarietal and blended extra virgin olive oils were utilized to develop a principal component analysis (PCA) based analysis of 1H NMR spectra to rapidly and accurately determine the authenticity of olive oils. Another twenty-eight olive oils were utilized to test the principal component analysis (PCA) based analysis. Detection of seed oil adulteration levels as low as 5% v/v has been shown using simple one-dimensional proton spectra obtained using a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer equipped with a room temperature inverse probe. The combination of simple sample preparation, rapid sample analysis, novel processing parameters, and easily interpreted results, makes this method an easily accessible tool for olive oil fraud detection by substitution or dilution compared to other methods already published.

Trace Elements Analysis of Tunisian and European Extra Virgin Olive Oils by ICP-MS and Chemometrics for Geographical Discrimination

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of trace elements in olive oils from different locations and their use for geographical authentication. Concentrations of seventeen elements were determined in a total of 42 olive oils from Tunisia, Spain (Basque country), and southern France, and in nine soil samples from Tunisia by quadrupole inductively plasma mass spectrometry. The compilation of appropriate techniques integrated into the analytical procedure achieved a precision (RSD) between 2% and 15% and low limits of detection (between 0.0002 and 0.313 µg kg−1). The accuracy of the analytical method applied for olive oil analysis was evaluated using SRM NIST 2387 Peanut butter. The recoveries obtained after microwave-assisted digestion for the certified elements ranged between 86% and 102%. Concentrations of non-certified elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ba, Rb, Sr, Cd, Pb, and As) were presented. The use of Pearson correlation applied on paired Tunisian oil/soil samples has shown that several elements (Mg, Mn, Ni, and Sr) were significantly correlated. The multivariate statistics using principal component analysis have successfully discriminated against three studied origins. The most significant variables were the elemental concentrations of Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Sr, V, and Zn. This study shows the potential of applying trace elements profiles for olive oil geographical discrimination.

Characterisation of Phenolic Compounds, Sterols and Geographical Fingerprint of Çekişte Extra-Virgin Olive Oils According to their Geographical Locations by Using LC IMS QTOF Mass Spectrometry

In this context, aim of this study is to determine the effect of Çekişte olive oils in different locations and show differences on geographical locations while taking geographical indication label. Çekişte olive oil variety which cultivated in six different locations (Birgi, Bademli, Beyazit, Yeniceköy, Zeytinlik, Uzumlu) were evaluated the effects of geographical locations on the chemical characterization of in the southwest of Turkey. The agricultural ecological map of each location was created using GIS. Olive oil samples were analyzed fatty acid, sterol and phenolic. Moreover, LC IMS Qtof spectrometer and Progenesis QI software were used to determine the geographical fingerprints of olive oil samples in different locations. Results showed that oil qualities of some locations differ significantly depending on olive growing area (p <0.05), some of them not. The Principal Component Analysis of the different locations analyzed revealed that "geographical location" factor significantly affects the olive oil quality.

Exploring consumer non-knowledge in the agrifood context and its effects on behaviour

PurposeConsumer knowledge has been one of the most studied variables in marketing due to its strong influence on consumer behaviour. Knowledge level has traditionally been measured through objective knowledge and the number of correct answers in a battery of items about product characteristics. The authors argue that this analysis could be complemented with other information, that is, the structure of non-knowledge. The main objective of this work is to explore the nature and explanatory potential of this new dimension on consumer behaviour in the agrifood context. The principal hypothesis is that, while they may have similar levels of objective knowledge, there are significant differences between the behaviour of consumers who have a predominant pattern of ignorance (tendency to answer “I don't know”) and those who are in error (tendency to give wrong answers).Design/methodology/approachThe present study draws on data derived from five case studies examining consumer knowledge about agrifood products (olive oils, Iberian ham and orange juice) and certain aspects of consumer behaviour. A sample of 4,112 participants was classified into two non-knowledge profiles: wrong, if most items answered incorrectly in a questionnaire were wrong; or ignorant, if most items answered incorrectly were “don't know”.FindingsThe results obtained supported the argument that complementing the study of consumer knowledge with an analysis of the structure of non-knowledge is worthwhile, as differences within the structure are associated with different patterns of consumer behaviour.Originality/valueIn the present study, it is proposed that the measurement of knowledge be complemented with an analysis of the consumer's non-knowledge structure (items not answered correctly), given its effects on behaviour, an aspect hitherto unconsidered in the literature. To do so, a new index is proposed.