AdvertiseVirgin olive oil obtained from the fruit of the olive tree solely by mechanical or physical means, with no chemical treatment. Its free acidity, expressed as oleic acid, is not more than 2 grams per 100 grams.
| Fatty Acid | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|
| Myristic C14:0 | ≤ 0.05 |
| Palmitic C16:0 | 7.5 – 20.0 |
| Palmitoleic C16:1 | 0.3 – 3.5 |
| Heptadecanoic C17:0 | ≤ 0.3 |
| Heptadecenoic C17:1 | ≤ 0.3 |
| Stearic C18:0 | 0.5 – 5.0 |
| Oleic C18:1 | 55.0 – 83.0 |
| Linoleic C18:2 | 3.5 – 21.0 |
| Linolenic C18:3 | ≤ 1.0 |
| Arachidic C20:0 | ≤ 0.6 |
| Eicosenoic (Gadoleic) C20:1 | ≤ 0.4 |
| Behenic C22:0 | ≤ 0.2 (≤ 0.3 for olive-pomace oil) |
| Lignoceric C24:0 | ≤ 0.2 |
Trans fatty acids (C18:1 T and C18:2 T + C18:3 T) are shown in the Quick Facts cards. Values are expressed as a percentage of total fatty acids by gas chromatography.
| Sterol | Limit (% of total sterols) |
|---|---|
| Cholesterol | ≤ 0.5 |
| Brassicasterol | ≤ 0.1 (≤ 0.2 for olive-pomace oils) |
| Campesterol | ≤ 4.0 |
| Stigmasterol | < Campesterol |
| Delta-7-stigmastenol | ≤ 0.5 |
| Beta-sitosterol + Delta-5-avenasterol + others | ≥ 93.0 |
Values are expressed as a percentage of total sterols per CXS 33-1981.
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Relative density (20°C / water at 20°C) | 0.910 – 0.916 |
| Refractive index (n D 20) | 1.4677 – 1.4705 (olive oils); 1.4680 – 1.4707 (pomace) |
| Saponification value (mg KOH/g oil) | 184 – 196 (olive oils); 182 – 193 (pomace) |
| Iodine value (WIJS) | 75 – 94 (olive oils); 75 – 92 (pomace) |
| Unsaponifiable matter | ≤ 15 g/kg (olive oils); ≤ 30 g/kg (pomace) |
| Saturated fatty acids at 2-position (palmitic + stearic) | ≤ 1.5% (virgin); ≤ 1.8% (refined & olive oil); ≤ 2.2% (pomace) |
Supplementary characteristics from the appendix of CXS 33-1981.
| Marker | Limit |
|---|---|
| Erythrodiol + uvaol (% of total sterols) | ≤ 4.5 |
| Stigmastadiene (virgin olive oils) | 0.15 mg/kg |
| Iron (Fe) | 3 mg/kg |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.1 mg/kg |
| Halogenated solvents (per solvent / total) | 0.1 / 0.2 mg/kg |
Supplementary markers from CXS 33-1981 confirming product quality and authenticity.
