Is a certificate enough to guarantee authenticity? Recent investigations suggest otherwise.
A series of investigations in 2025 have again placed olive oil fraud under the spotlight.
Authorities in Italy, Spain, and Belgium uncovered several cases where “extra virgin” labels concealed adulterated blends, forged certificates, and expired laboratory reports.
According to FoodNavigator and Olive Oil Times, multiple operations led to the seizure of low-grade oils sold as premium, exposing how falsified documentation continues to bypass verification systems.
What the Investigations Found
– Forged Certificates of Origin – Oils labelled as “extra virgin” were traced to non-compliant or unknown producers.
– Expired or Incomplete Lab Reports – Suppliers presented outdated chemical analyses, failing to meet authentication requirements.
– Cross-Border Supply Chains – Adulterated products were distributed under private labels across several EU markets.
Audit-Based Reflections on Authenticity Verification
Food safety audits often evaluate the reliability of documentation chains that underpin authenticity claims.
✅ Review of supplier certificates and laboratory accreditations
✅ Cross-checking of traceability records with production batches
✅ Verification of product identity through analytical testing and specification matching
Certima’s Mission
As an impartial certification body, Certima assesses compliance with international food safety measures. While Certima does not provide operational guidance, audits serve as a valuable tool for businesses looking to evaluate their fraud prevention strategies and supply chain integrity.