Quality aspects of European virgin olive oils with registered geographical indications: Emphasis on nutrient and non-nutrient bioactives

Abstract

European virgin olive oil with geographical indications are strictly regulated and are of importance for the producing member states, Spain, Italy, Greece, Portugal, France, Slovenia and Croatia. These products are consumed locally, or within the European Union but are also exported worldwide. The chapter stresses on the importance of combining origin indications with other certifications or opportunities raising from European legislation in the agri-food sector so that to tighten consumer loyalty for this category of products. Emphasis is given to the richness of virgin olive oil in bioactive compounds that are already covered by nutritional and health claims (oleic acid, vitamin E, "polyphenols") and to those compounds that can be exploited in the future toward the same direction (squalene, oleanolic and maslinic acids).

Keywords: Bioactives; Geographical indications; Nutritional and health claims; PDO/PGI; Quality schemes; Squalene; Total hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol content; Triterpenic acids; Virgin olive oil; Vitamin E.