Olive Oil: Concerns over MOAH Limits Established by the Commission

The Scientific Society of Encyclopedists of Olive Growing (4E) expresses concerns regarding the limits of Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) that the European Commission plans to establish for virgin olive oil and pomace oil.

In a response letter from the Commission to 4E, it is mentioned that internal procedures are underway to prepare the text for voting, which is scheduled for November. 4E emphasizes the contradiction between scientific data and the Commission's insistence on establishing specific quantitative limits for MOAH, which will have adverse effects on olive-producing countries.

4E challenges the chemical method of determining MOAH, the unclear separation of toxic from non-toxic MOAH, and the existence of natural-endogenous ingredients in pomace oil. It proposes the continuous mapping of Greek olive oils, informing stakeholders by DAOK, and the formation of a Permanent Working Group.