Questioning the Virginity of Olive Oils in American

I read an article a month or two ago about how the US has become a dumping ground of poor quality olive oil. Despite the relevance in the lives of most Americans (who doesn't have a bottle of olive oil at home, even the most reluctant of cooks), I just pushed it out of mind and out of sight. But now that the story has resurfaced I have a need to share the news. 


There is a lawsuit being pursued by chefs against olive oil producers for distributing extra virgin olive oil that, for the most part, wasn't actually olive oil, or was watered down with canola or other cheep oils. 


"The lawsuit, which seeks class action status, targets 10 major olive oil brands, including Bertolli, Filippo Berio, Carapelli, Star, Colavita, Mezzetta, Pompeian, Rachael Ray, Mazolla and Safeway Select. It also names 10 major supermarket chains and big box stores that allegedly marketed substandard oil under the extra-virgin banner, based on covert testing done by the law firm, Callahan said."


These are brands that I see in many households and I would hate to think that they feel as though they are getting the full benefits of olive oil, when in fact they are using some alternate, and inferior product.


Luckily, justice will be served in the form of the US adopting standards similar to those of the International Olive Council. 


Here is a link to the full article.


Oh, and if you were wondering, I buy President's or California Estate Bottled Olive Oils from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods 365 Everyday Extra Virgin Olive Oil.