Additional Coverage:
- Is olive oil sold at Costco real? Woman on Tiktok shares a simple trick to find out (marketrealist.com)
Is Your Olive Oil the Real Deal? A TikTok User’s Costco Tip Reveals a Shady Secret
Springfield, IL – For many health-conscious Americans, olive oil is a kitchen essential. But what if the “olive oil” you’re drizzling on your salad isn’t quite what it seems? A recent viral TikTok video is shedding light on a surprising loophole in food labeling that could be leaving consumers in the dark.
TikTok user Mary, known as @grandpashooch, took to the platform during a trip to Costco to share a crucial tip for identifying authentic olive oil. Her “Olive oil hack?” video quickly gained traction, revealing that the key to discerning real olive oil from imposters lies in a single detail: the harvest date.
“This is your annual reminder that if your olive oil doesn’t have a harvest date, it’s not real,” Mary explained in her video. She emphasized that lot numbers and “best by” dates are irrelevant when it comes to authenticity. Without a clear harvest date, she warns, the product likely isn’t 100% olive oil.
Mary elaborated on the issue, pointing out the surprisingly loose regulations surrounding olive oil labeling in the country. This lax oversight allows brands to sell products labeled as olive oil that may contain as little as a small percentage of actual olive oil, with the majority being cheaper vegetable oil.
“There’s no regulation on olive oil,” Mary stated. “It could be up to 75%, 80% vegetable oil without a harvest date.”
The revelation resonated with nearly 170,000 viewers who liked the video, many expressing outrage and frustration. Comments ranged from “FDA should be imprisoned” to “They teach us in culinary school about the ‘olive oil mafia’ and fake olive oil.” One savvy user also advised, “Harvest date and make sure the bottle is glass and tinted.”
While this TikTok may be news to many, reports in the past, including one from Epicurious, have attempted to educate consumers on distinguishing genuine olive oil. The harvest date method, as highlighted by Mary, is a primary indicator. Additionally, experts advise caution when purchasing products simply labeled “extra-virgin.”
Further recommendations include looking for third-party certification seals, such as the European Union’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Italy’s DOP, or the California Olive Oil Council’s “COOC Certified Extra Virgin” seal for California-produced oils. Olive oil from Australia or Chile is also generally considered reliable due to their stringent standards and advanced testing systems, which prevent the mixing of carryover oil from previous harvests.
So, next time you’re stocking up on olive oil, remember Mary’s advice and check for that all-important harvest date – your taste buds and your health might thank you!