Our refineries and bottling facilities are state of the art. We take great pride in our quality assurance, service and sustainability practices.

Here are some ESSENTIAL TERMS AND GUIDELINES FOR OLIVE, AVOCADO, AND OTHER OILS we provide.

FIRST PRESS / COLD PRESS

First press olive oil is the oil obtained from the first crushing of fresh olives, and when it is also “cold-pressed”, it means the oil was extracted without using heat above 27.7°C. This method preserves the highest quality, flavor, and nutritional content.

EXTRA VIRGIN / VIRGIN

First press olive oil is the oil obtained from the first crushing of fresh olives, and when it is also “cold-pressed”, it means the oil was extracted without using heat above 27°C. This method preserves the highest quality, flavor, and nutritional content.

REFINED OIL

Refined oil is an edible oil that has undergone a purification process to remove impurities, free fatty acids, and unwanted substances, resulting in a more stable, neutral-tasting product with a higher smoke point and longer shelf life. Common refining steps include degumming, bleaching, and deodorizing, making the oil suitable for high-heat cooking and frying.

BLEACHING

Bleaching, also known as decolorizing, is a complex physical and chemical process used in the refining of vegetable oils. The goal is to reduce the amount of colored pigments (carotenoids and chlorophylls) and the intensity of the oil color (Strieder et al., 2019).

WINTERIZED

“Winterized” means that waxes and other high-melting-point substances have been removed from the oil through a chilling and filtering process, resulting in a product that remains clear and liquid even at low temperatures. This is common for oils like avocado and olive oil, which can naturally contain these compounds that cause cloudiness or solidification when refrigerated.

DEODORIZED

Deodorized means the oil has been treated to remove unwanted odors, flavors, and colors through a high-temperature steam-distillation process. This refining step results in a more neutral-smelling and tasting oil, often with a higher smoke point, and is common for refined oils used for high-heat cooking.

KOSHER

Kosher refers to food and drink that is “fit” or “proper” according to Jewish dietary laws, known as kashrut. These laws, rooted in the Torah, dictate which foods are permitted, how certain animals must be slaughtered and prepared, that blood must be completely drained from meat, and that meat and dairy must be kept separate. Kosher food can be a lifestyle choice and is available in most supermarkets, not just in dedicated “kosher” sections.

HALAL

Halal is an Arabic word meaning “permissible” or “lawful” and refers to what is allowed under Islamic law. For Muslims, it encompasses a broad range of practices, including food and drink that is acceptable for consumption, but also extends to other areas of life like finance and cosmetics. Key aspects of halal include avoiding pork and alcohol and ensuring meat is slaughtered ethically in a specific way called dhabiha, which involves draining all blood and having a Muslim recite a prayer during the process.

CODEX

The Codex Alimentarius Commission is an international body created by the FAO and WHO to protect consumer health and ensure fair practices in the food trade.

CODEX STANDARD FOR EDIBLE FATS AND OILS

The Codex standard for oils and fats sets quality parameters like maximum iron and copper content, acid and peroxide values, and limits for volatile matter and insoluble impurities. It also includes standards for specific oils like named vegetable oils (e.g., specifying minimum oleic acid content), olive oils, and fish oils, which detail composition and contaminant limits. The Codex Committee on Fats and Oils (CCFO) develops these international standards to protect consumer health and ensure fair trade.

USDA ORGANIC

USDA Organic is a government-backed labeling term for foods and agricultural products produced according to strict standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These standards require producers to use practices that cycle resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity, while avoiding certain prohibited substances like synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering.

The USDA does not maintain a list of all approved third-party organic certifiers, but instead accredits independent organizations to certify farms and businesses, such as Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO), Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA), and Ecocert SAS. These accredited bodies are responsible for verifying that operations meet USDA organic standards and are listed on the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service website.

Common oil adulterations include mixing cheaper oils like soybean, palm, or rice bran oil into more expensive ones like olive or sunflower oil, and using mineral oil, used cooking oil, or hydrogenated oils to increase volume or profit. Other adulterants can be synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, and even starches or animal fats added to products like ghee. These practices can affect health, as they introduce potentially harmful substances and alter the oil’s composition.

A study performed at the University of California, Davis in 2020 determined that a majority of the domestic and imported avocado oil sold in the US was rancid before its expiration date or was adulterated with other oils. In some cases, the researchers found that bottles labeled as “pure” or “extra virgin” avocado oil contained nearly 100% soybean oil.

USDA

USDA stands for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a federal executive department founded in 1862 that provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and rural development. Its responsibilities include ensuring food safety, promoting agricultural trade, managing public lands, and administering nutrition programs like food stamps and school lunches. The USDA also offers programs to support rural communities and provides home loans for eligible areas.

FDA

FDA stands for Food and Drug Administration, a U.S. government agency responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, the nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and radiation-emitting products. The FDA approves and sets standards for these products, with its authority derived from laws passed by Congress.

NIOP

NIOP is an acronym that can refer to several different organizations or programs, including the National Institute of Oilseed Products, which is a trade association for the oilseed industry.

NON-GMO

Non-GMO means a product was produced without genetic engineering, meaning its ingredients are not derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The “Non-GMO Project Verified” label indicates a product complies with specific standards for testing, traceability, and segregation to be non-GMO. It signifies a preference for traditional breeding methods over laboratory-based genetic modification.

  • Organic products are inherently non-GMO: Products with a USDA Organic label are by nature non-GMO, as the organic standards prohibit genetic engineering.
  • Non-GMO Project Verified: This is a specific verification mark on products that have been tested and are compliant with the Non-GMO Project Standard.
  • Testing: The Non-GMO Project tests products at various stages of production to ensure compliance with its standards.
  • Limitations: The non-GMO label doesn’t mean there are zero GMOs present; some testing methods have limits, and products may have up to 0.9% genetically modified material, according to the Non-GMO Project standard.

VEGAN OK

“Vegan OK” refers to VEGANOK, an international quality mark for vegan products that ensures a product contains no animal-derived ingredients and is produced ethically and sustainably. It is one of the most widely used vegan standards in Europe and is recognized internationally, with a focus on the entire production process to guarantee the absence of animal exploitation and to promote social responsibility.

  • Comprehensive certification: VEGANOK certifies that products are 100% vegan, free from animal testing, and produced with ethical and sustainable standards. This includes checking for animal-based processing aids, not just obvious ingredients.
  • Broader scope: Unlike some other certifications that focus only on ingredients and animal testing, VEGANOK also considers sustainability, fair trade, and social responsibility.
  • Company and producer standards: The certification extends beyond the product itself to the company. It ensures that the companies certified do not perform or commission animal testing for any of their products.
  • Other related certifications: The VEGANOK network has expanded to include other certifications, such as VEGANOK Excellence for organic and high-quality products, VEG-PACK for vegan packaging, and BIODIZIONARIO Approved for cosmetics.

FSSC 22000

  • Based on international standards: It is built upon ISO 22000 but includes additional requirements that are often mandated by major retailers and manufacturers.
  • GFSI-recognized: The Global Food Safety Initiative’s recognition means the certification is accepted worldwide and helps meet regulatory requirements and market access demands.
  • Scope: The scheme covers the food manufacturing, packaging, storage, and transport sectors, ensuring robustness throughout the entire food chain.
  • Purpose: Achieving FSSC 22000 certification demonstrates that an organization has a robust food safety management system in place, enhancing brand trust, and helping to meet customer and regulatory expectations.
  • Benefits: Certification can lead to greater market access, reduced risks, regulatory compliance, and improved customer satisfaction.

GFSI

The Global Food Safety Initiative is a business-driven coalition of leading food retailers and manufacturers that sets a global benchmark for food safety standards. It does not provide certification itself, but it recognizes and approves food safety certification programs that meet its rigorous requirements, ensuring consistent, high standards across the global food supply chain to protect consumers.

How GFSI works

  • Benchmarking: GFSI establishes a set of requirements that food safety certification programs must meet to be GFSI-recognized.
  • Harmonization: It works to align various national and international food safety standards so they are consistent with one another.
  • Public-private partnerships: GFSI brings together experts from across the food industry, including retailers, manufacturers, and service providers, to collaborate on improving food safety.
  • Capacity building: The initiative helps build food safety capabilities in various regions and across the entire supply chain, from farming to distribution.
  • Knowledge sharing: It serves as a platform for sharing best practices and knowledge to continuously improve food safety management systems.

What GFSI certification means

  • A mark of trust: A GFSI-recognized certification is a globally trusted mark of a high standard of food safety.
  • Access to global markets: Businesses with GFSI-recognized certification can more easily access global food markets.
  • Improved risk management: GFSI certification helps businesses manage food safety risks more effectively.

BRC

A U.K. organization that develops global standards for product safety, quality, and legality, particularly for food and consumer goods.

  • What it is: A trade organization that creates globally recognized standards for product quality, safety, and compliance.
  • Purpose: The BRC standards provide a framework for businesses to demonstrate their commitment to best practices in food and non-food products, build consumer confidence, and comply with legal requirements.
  • Certification: Companies can get certified to the BRC standard after an audit. This certification is used by major retailers to assess their suppliers, and it covers aspects like food safety, packaging, and operational standards.
  • Scope: While most common in the food industry, BRC standards also cover non-food consumer products like packaging and other manufactured goods.

BRCS Accredited Internal Auditor

A BRCGS internal auditor is a trained individual who conducts internal audits of a company’s food safety management system to ensure compliance with the BRCGS (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards) food safety standard. These auditors are responsible for planning, conducting, and reporting on internal audits to verify that the system is effectively implemented and to identify areas for improvement before a third-party audit.