OLIVE OIL BUYERS BEWARE!

OLIVE OIL IN FRANCE RIFE
WITH DECEPTION AND FRAUD

www.oliveoiltimes.com - Despite stricter European controls, the olive oil industry in France is still rife with deception and fraud. In their report released this week, France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) unfolded various deceptive trade practices, while warning consumers to be more vigilant when buying olive oil. After visiting 348 establishments last year, investigators identified several areas of concern in regard to the quality, labeling and misrepresentation of olive oils sold in France.
France imports more olive oil than it produces but fraud was prevalent in both imported and domestic products. The agency found labels that were not in French, incomplete or outright false.

Many labels lead consumers astray, allowing them to believe that the oil was produced in France when it was not, or indicated a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée (AOC) indiscriminately. Only eight regions in France enjoy Appellation d’Origine Protégée (AOP) status which guarantees the geographical origin and recognized production conditions. Investigator found labels falsely indicating AOC and AOP status when the oils had not, in fact, been granted the distinction.
Other impermissible claims made on packaging included statements such as: “rich in omega 3”, “no cholesterol” and “rich in antioxidants”. DDCRF advised consumers of olive oil to be vigilant, to be skeptical of less expensive olive oil and to contact them should they find their olive oil “suspicious.”

After visiting nearly 350 establishments last year, French investigators from the Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control, identified various fraudulent practices related to the quality, labeling and counterfeit of olive oils sold in France. This article, written by Alice Alech from Olive Oil Times, says that the DGCCRF's report finds that in many cases there was no indication of provenance on the labels and the compulsory country of origin was not indicated on 8 percent of olive oils analyzed. There were also concerns about best-by dates on products when producers were unable to provide suitable records to justify the dates on the labels. Investigators also found containers labeled ‘dried tomatoes in olive oil’ but on examination were found to contain only sunflower oil. In view of so many flaws or inconsistencies in the product descriptions, consumers of olive oil are advised to be cautious and alert for possible fraud that can affect both their health and their pocket money. In the ancient Greece, the Olympic Games winners were awarded olive leaf crowns and olive oil. But the "purity" of that oil is difficult to be available today, especially because in this Kali yuga there is a strong tendency toward fraud. Since we live under so much suspicion, misunderstanding, and self-deception it is not surprise that the majority of olive oils on your supermarket shelf don’t deserve the title of “extra virgin” due to contamination, rancidity and poor manufacturing. (Editor's note).

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

Vaishnava philosophers have discovered that all the mistakes we are guilty of making originate from (1) error, (2) inebriation, (3) the shortcomings of our senses and (4) an inclination to deceive others, and by these our boldest and strongest thoughts are lost. [...] A general inclination for deception creeps into our heart when we take a one sided view and establish facts or theories with the greatest assurance. All people are subject to fall victim to these defects. The only exception is God Almighty and His associate counterparts, who remain within the Absolute Truth. God is all-knowing, all-powerful and all-blissful. He is omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, and none like Him can be found anywhere. He is one without a second and possesses infinite powers.

Śrīla Bhakti Saranga Gosvami Mahārāja :
“God-realization” 
“Omnipotent God Beyond Error”
http://www.bvml.org/SBSGM/
http://www.bvml.org/SBSGM/gr.html

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/