Stiftung Warentest, Germany's leading consumer organization, has released its latest findings on olive oil quality, shedding light on the challenges faced by producers amid adverse harvest conditions. According to their test results, seven out of twenty-five evaluated olive oils scored well enough to earn recommendations, which is significantly improved compared to previous assessments.
Recent years have seen olive oil prices skyrocket due to poor harvests, yet they have seen recent declines according to Stiftung Warentest's latest review published. Consumers have become increasingly concerned about both the rising prices and quality of olive oils available on the market, especially with the impact of climate change on harvests. Increasingly severe weather patterns have adversely affected the quality of olives used to produce olive oil.
Stiftung Warentest tested 25 olive oils classified as first extra virgin, with prices ranging from approximately 9 to 50 euros per liter. Shockingly, two of the top three oils recommended by the testers were priced under ten euros. This suggests, contrary to popular belief, higher prices do not necessarily guarantee superior quality. The testers found their top recommended olive oils were:
- Rewe's Beste Wahl Italiaains Natives Olivenöl Extra – 15.98 euros, rated 2.1
- Aldi's Cantinelle – 9.05 euros, rated 2.2
- Aldi's Gut Bio Natives Olivenöl Extra – 9.27 euros, rated 2.3
Among the noteworthy changes since last year's test, which only recommended two oils, is the increase to seven oils now receiving high marks. Nonetheless, it's not all positive news, as the testers still discovered several oils with flavor issues or contamination. One olive oil reportedly tasted rancid, and several others were described as \'stichig-schlammig\' (muddy-tasting), indicating substantial quality issues.
Importantly, Stiftung Warentest also assessed the chemical composition of the oils, examining for harmful contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), softeners, pesticides, and mineral oil residues, which accounted for 20% of the overall score. Fortunately, the levels of detected contaminants were deemed non-worrisome overall.
Among the tested oils, four were found to have significant mineral oil residues, including saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH), with the latter suspected of being carcinogenic. Retail brands such as La Española and dmBio were also highlighted for their concerning levels of these contaminants.
Despite the challenges presented by climate change, which have made olive harvests arduous, Stiftung Warentest noted some improvements. The levels of mineral oil contamination have decreased overall compared to previous years, and oil prices have recently started to decline after soaring dramatically.
Stiftung Warentest's detailed analysis serves as both guidance and caution for olive oil consumers, particularly amid the backdrop of climate-change-related challenges impacting product quality. With several recommended options at reasonable prices, consumers can make informed choices about the olive oils they bring to their tables.
To explore all test results and recommendations, consumers can visit test.de for the full report. With rising concerns about food quality and safety, initiatives like those from Stiftung Warentest are more relevant than ever.