Refined Olive Oil
Refined olive oil is approved as food. Refining strips most of the polyphenols and aromatic compounds of virgin olive oil, leaving a primarily monounsaturated fat.
What it is
Olive oil that has been refined (deodorized, neutralized, decolorized) to remove defects from virgin olive oils that did not meet quality standards.
Used as a neutral cooking oil; often blended with virgin olive oil to make 'olive oil' (not extra virgin).
Why it's flagged
- lower antioxidant content than extra virgin olive oil
What regulators actually say
"Refined olive oil is the olive oil obtained from virgin olive oils by refining methods which do not lead to alterations in the initial glyceridic structure."
"Olive oil is recognized as a food in the United States and is regulated under FDA labeling requirements."
Regulatory status
United States — FDA
GRAS; subject to FDA olive oil standards
European Union — EFSA
Permitted under EU Regulation 1308/2013 olive oil marketing standards
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