Authorities in southern Italy have dismantled an alleged network selling fake olive oil, confiscating 42 tons of the extra virgin variety worth nearly $1 million.
Seven people are accused of criminal formation, adulteration of food substances intended for commercialization, fraud in military public supplies and adulteration of food for export, according to a note sent by the police.
The operations, carried out during the night of Monday (7) in the Puglia region, involved search warrants in 18 garages and warehouses.
Some of the 42 tons of olive oil were already packaged and ready for sale. Authorities confiscated 71 tons of what they called an “oily substance” in plastic tanks, as well as 623 liters of chlorophyll, a component of extra virgin olive oil that was added to lower-value oils.
They found packaging equipment, labels claiming the olive oil was “extra virgin” when it clearly was not, and commercial documentation including 1,145 fake excise tax stamps, the statement said.
Vans, cargo equipment and computers were also seized.
Authorities also confiscated 174 bottles of sparkling wine suspected of being counterfeit and which are being tested.
The investigation began in September with the arrest of 11 people in Italy and Spain and the confiscation of 12 barrels containing 260,000 liters of adulterated olive oil.
Incidents of counterfeit extra virgin olive oil have increased in recent years, due both to the popularity of the Mediterranean diet and the effects of climate change, which has greatly reduced production in southern Europe due to devastating droughts, according to the International Olive Council.
In January, authorities raided 50 restaurants in Rome and found seed oil being passed off as extra virgin olive oil.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
