Application of modern analytical and chemometric techniques for the quality control- fraud of olive products

ACRONYM:

HOLEA

LEADER:

Elissavet Dotsika

START DATE:

18/07/2018

LATE DATE:

17/01/2023

FUNDING SOURCE:

The Management and Implementation Authority for Research, Technological Development and Innovation Action (MIA-RTDI) / Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Quality is widely recognized as one of the most strategies for the economic development of each productive sector. Olive oil and edible olives are commercial products with continuously increasing demand worldwide, due to their valuable nutrients. Constant consumer demand for the production of high nutritional value products encourages practices of fraud in manufactured products which in recent years have been expanded, due to a lack of adequate quality control systems. Consequently, the quality control of edible olives and olive oil as well as the traceability of their origin are the main keys to ensuring the quality of the above products. Τhe present research proposal aims firstly to the traceability of Greek olive varieties, in order to certify the origin of the final products and, secondly, to the development and application of modern analytical techniques in order to ensure the quality of edible olives (using an alkaline solution or treatment with brine) and the documentation of the health claim for oils that meet the criteria of the EFSA, with aim the protection of consumers from false or misleading labels in olive products and olive oil. At the same time, efforts will be made to develop certified methodologies to ensure the quality of PDO and PGI olive oil from attempts of fraud, through the traceability of Greek olive varieties and their geographical origin. For the successful realization of the project two companies, with a significant activity in the production, marketing and promotion of olive products will cooperate as well as five research institutions, with proven experience in the field, of olive oil which will operate as consultants and will carry out specific research tasks of the present proposal. The expected results of the proposal relate to the creation and installation of a reliable private quality assurance protocol aiming both at the quality control of olive products and in securing the consumer against fraud. Given that for the Greek economy the agri-food sector is or must be the crown of growth and productive reconstruction of our country, it is more than necessary for Greece to invest in the quality of its agricultural products.

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