Americans are buying twice as much EVOO as a decade ago. We have foody-ism and Rachel Ray to thank. But The Inquirer reports that “a lack of strict standards means that the United States is awash in low-quality, adulterated and even dangerous oils that have made some consumers ill.” Yikes. The the Department of Agriculture is rolling out new rules this fall to protect consumers and their olive oil. Because there are no federal rules decreeing what you can call “virgin” or “extra virgin,” producers are taking low-grade product, affixing fancy, misleading labels, and selling bottles for high prices. You can get away with olive oil highway robbery here: “the U.S. has been a dumping ground for cheap olive oil for years.” The new regulations will be optional. So what’s an olive oil purist to do? Buy your EVOO from sources you trust, and shop with skepticism. [Inquirer]
