Introduction to the third OLEUM newsletter

OLEUM – more than halfway to this exciting journey’s end!

 

OLEUM is now more than halfway to the expected end of the project. Time is running so fast!

 

I am very glad to inform you that many results have been reached thanks to the precious collaboration and efforts from all the involved partners.

 

OLEUM has developed and validated the first innovative analytical methods for assuring quality and authenticity of olive oil, as summarized here. The testing of two sensory reference materials useful to support the Panel Test is in course. Several analytical approaches to fight fraud in the olive oil sector are under the definition.

 

The OLEUM Network was populated, with the aim of establishing an information exchange community of institutions and other relevant stakeholders to provide the global community - both technicians and consumers - with accurate and accessible information; the validation of four analytical methods with the active contribution of the OLEUM Network members is expected to start very soon!

 

Soon the OLEUM Databank in a ready-to-use beta version will be launched.

 

An infographic for public dissemination on the production of olive oil was realized and another focused on how to recognize a good quality extra virgin olive oil will be ready soon, as well as a short video presenting the project.

We have successfully presented the results in several scientific congresses and a season of presentations awaits us. To maximize the impact of this newsletter, it is available in six languages (French, Greek, German, English, Italian and Spanish), thanks to some of the partners’ collaboration.

 

The OLEUM Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Board is continuously providing its contribution and precious advice to the project.

 

Whether you are an institutional or a private quality control laboratory, an olive oil production or distribution company, or a company that wants to propose its instruments and analytical tools to be tested, I warmly invite you to follow the project website (http://www.oleumproject.eu) and to send any requests for information or to join the OLEUM Network by sending an e-mail to oleum@unibo.it.

Tullia Gallina Toschi (tullia.gallinatoschi@unibo.it), Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences (DISTAL) - Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, OLEUM Project Coordinator