The Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE) seized 2,510 liters of cooking oil being marketed as olive oil, in the districts of Portalegre and Beja and in the municipality of Silves (Faro), worth 28,900 euros.
In a statement released today, ASAE said that the inspection operation was carried out by the Southern Regional Unit, through its operational units in Évora and Faro, to check the authenticity and quality of the olive oil being sold in those regions.
The inspections targeted economic operators, with commercial links between them, in which the marketing of edible oil as olive oil was detected “in flagrante delicto”, the statement said.
“Through the investigations carried out, it was also possible to find the location of the economic operator’s warehouse, where the entire logistical operation of falsifying the labelling and organizing the distribution channel was carried out in a concealed manner,” said ASAE.
In the course of the operation, two criminal cases were filed for allegedly defrauding goods, and 2,510 liters of cooking oil, hundreds of counterfeit labels, a goods vehicle and various documents indicating the commission of the crimes were seized.
The suspects were made defendants and subjected to a term of identity and residence, and the facts were reported to the competent judicial authority.
In the statement, ASAE adds that it has also taken samples of the seized product, i.e. the cooking oil.
These samples will be analyzed at ASAE’s Food Safety Laboratory for sensory analysis, physical-chemical analysis and verification of the legal requirements applicable to labeling in order to detect any possible fraudulent practices.
ASAE also guarantees that it will continue to carry out enforcement actions, within the scope of its powers, throughout the national territory, “in favor of healthy and fair competition” between economic operators, in order to “safeguard food safety and public health” for consumers.
In conclusion, ASAE warns consumers to be “alert” to offers of this type of product at a lower price than expected, misleading the consumer with the aim of marketing other oleic substances such as olive oil.
