Association QvExtra! International,
The National Sectorial of EVOO with a Protected Designation of Origin,
Association of Federated Olive Oil Mills of Spain (AFE),
The Business Association of Industrial Olive Oil Mills of Cordoba (ACORA),
Association Grandes Pagos de Olivar,
Different companies who have won Mario Solinas Awards and Ministry of Agriculture Awards,
Spanish Food Nation and internationally recognised scientists in the study of Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a healthy food products,
DECLARE:
That the promotion, dissemination and defence of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) through its healthy properties, which are proven and endorsed by numerous scientific studies, is fundamental for the development of the sector and consumer knowledge and education. In this respect, the widespread communication of the healthy properties of EVOO in olive oil companies’ websites and social media pages is essential in order to boost such dissemination and promotion.
That different olive oil companies are being reported and sanctioned by some Public Administrations for the spreading information on the healthy properties of EVOO on their websites and social media pages, by sharing the scientific research that supports such claims, while always citing the origin thereof.
And, for that reason,
REQUEST:
That different Public Administrations consider the spread of information and general promotion that olive oil companies do on the healthy properties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, to be acceptable.
That the publication of scientific studies on the healthy properties of Extra Virgin Olive Oil shall not be considered commercial advertising by the companies that publish them.
That, therefore, such publications on their websites, social media pages or other media is not subject to reports and sanctions.
Despite the fact that the healthy properties of EVOO have been scientifically proven for many years, and despite the fact that most governmental, national and international websites mention the innumerable confirmed health benefits of this products, some administrations are devoting their efforts to reporting producers and bottling companies. They are doing so not because these companies are making health claims on their labels, but because they include their website on the labels and list on such websites the proven health benefits of extra virgin olive oils, in a general sense and not in reference to their brand or oil in particular. These sanctions are enforced under the basis that these companies fail to comply with the regulations, as their websites market this product. However, the references contained in these websites refer to the overall category of EVOO and always cite the research and scientific source from which it originates.
By means of this document, we wish to protest the fact that some administrations are persecuting the communication and promotion of the sector in defence of EVOO, one of the few food products whose health benefits have been reliably proven in international scientific literature: a fundamental reference point in the Mediterranean Diet and of great economic and social importance for certain geographical areas of Spain. There can be no doubt that in post-pandemic times the health properties of EVOOs must be highlighted and publicised, especially when they are based on firm scientific evidence.
We therefore urge the Central Administration and the Autonomous Administrations to provide a positive interpretation and clarification on the tools that EVOO producers and packaging companies can use in the education and promotion of EVOO, in order to avoid the lack of protection that they are currently suffering from some administrations.
And in recognition thereof, we hereby sign, on 9th September 2020.
