The attack of the olive oil gangs - UK health risk warning as criminals sell fake oil

BRITISH foodies are being warned not to fall for a new fraud risking kitchens across the country - fake olive oil.

Olive groves in PugliaGETTY

Millions of trees were wiped out by a deadly germ

Criminal gangs are setting up unhygienic workshops to blend their bootleg oils with unknown substances which could damage shoppers’ health as well as their bank balances.

Food fraud investigators have been called in to Italy to try and sift out the gangsters, while warning shoppers to be wary of olive oil that appears “too cheap to be true”.

Italian olive oil prices have doubled in the last few weeks due to millions of olive trees being wiped out by a deadly microbe, causing production to fall by a third.

Britons are at risk of E.coli and salmonella, as well as allergic reactions to unlisted ingredients.

An Italian investigator told The Independent: “The criminals have international links and are able to shift this product overseas where other criminals will supply it. There are some networks that are able to supply Italian restaurants overseas, so there is a threat from that.”

Italy is regarded as the origin for the best olive oil in the world but con-artists in dirty kitchens are putting the reputation at risk by threatening the health of consumers. 

One fraud sees older, poor oils from other countries used and passed off as high quality Italian extra-virgin olive oil.

PugliaGETTY

Puglia, Italy's biggest olive growing region was hit particularly hard by the bad crop

It’s not just a question of sub-standard products, it’s a question of health and safety

Investigator

Another fraud is more serious with vegetable oil dyed the colour of olive oil by using chlorophyll and beta-carotene for flavour.

Chlorophyll can cause chest pains and rashes to those with allergies.

As the oil is produced in areas not subject to inspection, there are fears of foreign objects entering the product, or contamination with hazardous chemicals.

The investigator added: “It’s not just a question of sub-standard products, it’s a question of health and safety.

“They do not respect hygiene requirements for food production. They often work in garages and basements of houses, so it is not a clean place and you can get bacteria and contamination.”

Caterers, restaurateurs and small local shops are most at risk of the fake oil.

Shoppers have been told to avoid the con by buying olive oil at the right price. The cost varies between £4 and £6.50 and with the cost likely to increase by about 25 per cent due to the bad harvest, anything lower than £5 is thought to be suspicious.

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