Olive oils are an integral part of many cuisines around the world and are widely consumed due to their health benefits. However, some of them are polluted and must be removed from businesses.
A recent study conducted by the 60 million consumers association revealed that certain olive oils contain high levels of contaminants such as lead, pesticides, among others. A worrying situation which calls into question the quality and purity of these oils for which demand is increasingly growing. Return to these oils potentially harmful to health.
The top 4 most polluted olive oils
Terra Delyssa
It is an extra virgin oil obtained directly from 100% natural, hand-picked olives. It is cold extracted and packaged in bottles according to quality standards. Terra Delyssa olive oil is made up of fats such as saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids. According to the findings of 60 million consumers, this oil contains the two phthalates of greatest concern, including di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) and the diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). It comes at the top of the ranking with a score of 8.5/20.
Virgin Naturalia and Clear Life
Naturalia olive oil like La vie claire bio are extra virgin oils from organic farming and used for salads and baking as well as frying. They are extracted from olives picked when ripe and are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants. The acids they contain can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. However, 60 million consumers revealed that these two organic oils contain toxic products from olives contaminated when harvesting or storing olives. They are therefore among the poor students in the ranking, each with a score of 8.5/20.
Organic Cauvin
Cauvin organic olive oil is obtained from olives grown in an environmentally friendly manner. It is free from harmful chemicals and pesticide residues. Making it a healthy choice for health- and environment-conscious consumers. It is highly recommended for cooking and massages. Its strong taste, delicious aroma and vitamin E content are a perfect addition to any meal or body care ritual. Despite all its qualities, it appears that this oil is absolutely avoid consumption. In the ranking of oils to avoid, it obtains a score of 7.5/20 behind Terra Delyssa, Naturalia virgin and La vie claire according to Planet.fr.
Contaminants studied in the survey conducted by 60 million consumers
Aromatic polycyclic acid
The results of the investigation show that many olive oils are contaminated with Polycyclic Aromatic Acid (APA) also called Aromatic Hydrocarbons Polycyclic which are natural constituents of coal and petroleum. When picking olives, they can be contaminated by smoke which escapes from the engine of agricultural machinery. This type of contaminant is responsible for many types of cancer. According to the study, most of the oils tested contained high levels of APA.
Manganese palmitate
Manganese is a compound found in air, water, soil and food. It is essential to humans for their survival, but toxic when the human body faces too high concentrations of this component. Foods with high doses of manganese include olive oils, green beans, eggs and oysters. This toxic substance found in certain olive oils is responsible for pulmonary embolisms, bronchitis, respiratory problems, infertility problems in both men and women. The warning signs of a manganese palmitate poisoning are nerve problems, hallucinations and memory loss.
