Olive Oil Analysis

Mandatory Analyses: A regulatory document from the European Commission governs the analysis of olive oils: click here. An olive oil must meet a number of physicochemical parameters to be labeled as EXTRA VIRGIN, VIRGIN, or LAMPANTE (unfit for consumption in the EU). Regulation 2568/91 of July 11, 1991, published in the Official Journal of the European Communities, outlines the criteria that must be met (see diagram below). The LAHN laboratory offers standard analyses on olive oils: acid index, peroxide index, UVK measurement (K270 – K232). An oil referred to as "lampante" is unfit for consumption in the EU. It is intended for oil lamps, hence the term "lampante." The K232 AND K270 Analyses These physicochemical measurements indicate the proper preservation of olive oils.