Extra Virgin Olive Oil Labeling Made Easy And Unquestionable

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., April 11, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Healthy eating begins with knowledge and education on which extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is truly extra virgin, 100% pure.  For the millions of Americans who buy EVOO, knowing which brand is real is now a no-brainer. Capatriti® Extra Virgin Olive Oil, manufactured by Gourmet Factory™, has qualified for the highly coveted U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Quality Monitoring Program (QMP) seal.

Earning this USDA QMP seal is a first step in educating consumers about choosing the right EVOO.  The USDA Quality Monitoring Program verifies the purity and quality of a brand's extra virgin olive oil. Capatriti® Extra Virgin Olive Oil was required to meet meticulous program criteria in order to qualify for the seal. Upon entering the Quality Monitoring Program for their extra virgin olive oil, Gourmet Factory™ agreed to allow the USDA to conduct unannounced visits to review and inspect quality assurance records, randomly sample product for chemical analysis and sensory evaluation, and verify labels on an ongoing basis.  

"It's important that we, as a manufacturer and industry partner, provide consumers with the correct information about what is pure extra virgin olive oil – the taste, the aroma and the color," stated Themis Kangadis, Gourmet Factory CEO. "As a family-owned company, we know that trust is the most important part of any relationship and by earning this stringent USDA QMP designation, we are looking at our consumers as family by increasing their knowledge and making their choice easier." 

Confusion about EVOO is nothing new in the marketplace and is still an ongoing issue.  According to a 2010 UC Davis report, "69 percent of imported olive oils labeled as 'extra virgin' failed to meet the international standard for extra virgin olive oil." More recently, a 2015 report from National Consumer League found that six out of 11 (about 55 percent) of EVOO from four major retailers failed to meet the EVOO requirements. Impure products differ in color, taste and scent.  The USDA QMP seal indicates that USDA samples of Capatriti Extra Virgin Olive Oil have passed USDA quality and purity analysis. Additionally, the USDA also reviewed the performance of the company's production processes, quality assurance measures and record-keeping system. Under the program, the USDA will continue to monitor Capatriti's Extra Virgin Olive Oil, conducting unannounced plant visits to verify quality assurance measures and test the extra virgin olive oil.

Capatriti EVOO products approved by the USDA QMP are available now for sale. Looking to continue with label transparences, again making it easier for consumers to know the products they are purchasing, the company is working on NON-GMO verification. 

About Gourmet Factory
Gourmet Factory is a family-owned, New York based manufacturer of edible oils. The company is among the first in the country, and industry, to qualify for the stringent USDA Quality Monitoring Program seal for its extra virgin olive oils. For more than 45 years, the Gourmet Factory has provided the finest quality products in the retail and foodservice markets for American consumers' palate. Products are marketed under various brand and private label names. 

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SOURCE Gourmet Factory