A WAGGA testing facility that determines the quality of olive oil has been rated as one of the best in the world.
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NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) olive oil testing team earned the praise after almost two decades of accreditation by the International Olive Council (IOC) in Madrid.
NSW DPI laboratory services coordinator, Belinda Taylor said the Wagga facility has been awarded international accreditation in laboratory analysis for 18 consecutive years and for the last 12 years in the sensory classification of olive oil.
“The only laboratory in Australia accredited by the IOC for chemical and sensory analysis, NSW DPI’s Australian Oils Research Laboratory, is also accredited by the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) for both types of analysis,” Ms Taylor said.
“AOCS has further recognised the team with awards for chemical and sensory analysisk,” she said.
“This huge achievement is a credit to the hard work and diligence of the team in ensuring the laboratory and sensory panel maintain a high level of skill and accuracy. “It's a win for NSW DPI, the olive oil industry and consumers and it helps support the local industry in a global context.” Australia produces some of the highest quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in the world and local producers have won gold medals at the prestigious New York International Olive Oil Competition.
NSW DPI sensory panel leader, Donna Seberry, said the panel is accredited to classify EVOO and virgin olive oil, with more than 30 members trained by DPI staff at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute. “Sensory panels classify olive oil by taste and aroma for qualities including fruitiness, bitterness and pungency,” Ms Seberry said.
“The panel is trained to detect any defects which could downgrade the oil, including rancid characteristics.
“EVOO is a premium product and consumers should feel confident that the product they are buying has met the strict standards set by industry bodies, such as IOC and AOCS .
“Olive oil producers from across Australia and overseas, including New Zealand, Japan and the United States, use our laboratory and sensory analysis services to prove they have met those stringent standards.”
