In light of the recent significant seizure of counterfeit olive oil by Italian authorities,  the need for robust traceability and authenticity in the olive oil industry has never been more critical. Italian authorities confiscated nearly €900,000 worth of fake extra virgin olive oil – that’s about 42 ton – highlighting the pervasive issue of olive oil fraud.

“Some of the 42 tons of oil was already packaged ready for sale. Authorities confiscated 71 tons of what was referred to as an “oily substance” in plastic tanks, as well as 623 liters of chlorophyll, a component of extra virgin olive oil that was being added to oil of a lesser value.

They found packaging equipment, labels purporting that the oil was “extra virgin” when it was clearly not, and commercial documentation including 1,145 customs excise duty stamps that are being studied for forgery, the statement said.
– Barbie Nadeau – CNN”

This fraudulent activity not only undermines consumer trust but also poses serious health risks. UNISOT’s Asset Traceability Platform can play a crucial role in preventing such fraudulent activities.

One of our AgriOnChain customers is Az. Agricola Francesco Pepe. Francesco has successfully implemented UNISOT’s Digital Product Passports to secure his supply chain. This implementation has been instrumental in proving and maintaining his reputation for producing exceptional olive oil, winning numerous awards, and achieving recognition in the Olive Oil Bible FlosOlei. By using UNISOT, he has ensured that his products remain authentic and traceable, reinforcing consumer confidence and loyalty.

Feel free to scan the QR code on the image, which will take you directly to the Digital Product Passport for this Erede Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

“AgriOnChain’s innovative traceability solutions have enabled me to share the story of my premium Italian olive oil with the world. With Digital Product Passports and Smart QR-codes, I can highlight the authenticity, quality, and sustainability of my products to customers everywhere. Through this partnership, I have not only expanded my market reach but also deepened the connection with my customers, creating a community that values the traditions and principles I hold dear. UNISOT’s AgriOnChain technology empowers me to focus on what I do best – producing exceptional olive oil – while they handle the technology seamlessly behind the scenes.” – Francesco Pepe, Az. Agricola Francesco Pepe

COMPREHENSIVE TRACEABILITY

UNISOT’s Platform ensures complete traceability of olive oil from the grove to the consumer. Every step of the production process, including harvesting, pressing and bottling, is securely recorded, digitally signed and timestamped on the blockchain. This transparency ensures that every bottle of olive oil is traceable back to its origin, making it extremely difficult for counterfeit products to infiltrate the supply chain.

PRODUCT AUTHENTICATION

Utilizing unique digital identities and QR codes, UNISOT allows consumers to verify the authenticity of Agricola Francesco Pepe’s olive oil instantly. By scanning the QR code on the bottle, consumers can access detailed information about the product’s origin, production process and quality certifications.

SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRITY

Our platform enhances the integrity of the supply chain by enabling real-time monitoring and alerts for any anomalies. This capability helps in early detection of potential fraud and ensures that only high-quality olive oil reaches the market.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

With increasing incidents of food fraud, consumer trust is paramount. AgriOnChain not only protects the reputation of premium producers like Agricola Francesco Pepe but also assures consumers of the product’s authenticity and superior quality. This trust is vital for sustaining and growing market share in a highly competitive industry.

COMBATING DOCUMENTATION FRAUD

In addition to ensuring product authenticity, AgriOnChain can also help prevent fraud related to commercial documentation. The recent case involving 1,145 customs excise duty stamps suspected of forgery underscores the need for secure and verifiable documentation. By leveraging UNISOT’s Secure Document Collaboration solution, every document related to the production, distribution and sale of olive oil can be securely recorded and verified. This reduces the risk of forgery and ensures that all commercial documents, including excise duty stamps, are legitimate and traceable.

The recent olive oil fraud cases underscore the urgent need for effective measures to safeguard the authenticity of olive oil. UNISOT’s AgriOnChain provides a comprehensive solution to combat fraud, enhance traceability and build consumer trust. As we continue to support high-quality producers like Francesco Pepe, we are committed to ensuring that consumers receive genuine, high-quality olive oil.

We can turn the tide against olive oil fraud and ensure a future where consumers can enjoy genuine, high-quality olive oil with confidence. For more information on how UNISOT can help protect your olive oil brand, visit our website or contact our sales team.

Sources:

The Grocer: https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/commodities/dozens-of-tonnes-of-fake-olive-oil-confiscated-by-italian-authorities/693330.article
Food Safety News: https://www.foodsafetynews.com/?s=olive+oil