Real-time assessment of olive oil quality through the supply chain

Olive oil is one of the most frequently adulterated food products in the EU, as well as being susceptible to degradation during storage, with potential damage to its nutritional, health and sensory attributes. There are also serious human health concerns surrounding food security in such a vulnerable supply chain. Recently, it has been estimated that up to 80% of Italian extra virgin olive oil is at best below minimum standards and at worst fradulent. There is an urgent requirement for the development of real-time monitoring technology for providing traceability of olive oil through the supply chain. The use of light for analysing pigments, vitamins and phenolic compounds found in olive oil provides the potential for development of a real-time sensor for monitoring olive oil quality through the supply chain, assuring product authenticity and providing traceability. In this Innovate UK project, Liquid Vision Innovation Ltd. will carry out a detailed laboratory study of a range of olive oil samples provided by a large UK olive oil producer, in order to determine the optimum choice of optical components for development of a sensor for inline olive oil quality assessment. A prototype sensor will also be developed. The application of such a sensor commercially has the potential to improve public and retailer confidence in extra virgin olive oil and protect high quality UK and international producers. The project outcomes will be suitable for monitoring other edible oils, as well as having wider applicability in the food and drink industry.