Role of the IOC

There are a number of regulations outside the IOC standard that affect the production, distribution and sale of olive oils. Producers and distributors are individually responsible to understand the rules relating to pesticide residue limits for olive oil in Australia. The AOOA offers help to organisations to understand and navigate these issues, some of which are listed below. Contact us for more information using the form at the bottom of this page, or alternatively email us for more information at info@aooa.com.au.

Pesticides & Pesticide Residues

Approved pesticides may be used during the growth and ripening of olives. There is a period of time between application and harvest that ensures that no harmful residues are left on the olive by the time they are processed for olive oil. Olive oil sold in Australia is tested for pesticides commonly used in agriculture. Imported olive oils are regularly tested by Australian authorities for compliance. Producers and distributors in Australia should beware that Australian pesticide residue limits differ from those of other countries.

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Regulations

Food Standards Australia New Zealand is the bi-national government statutory agency and is part of the Australian Government’s Health portfolio, that develops and administers the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. FSANZ standards focus on health-related issues and regulate the use of ingredients, mandate standards for specific food risks (such as microbes and pesticides) and mandate some labelling requirements for packaged and unpackaged food (such as mandatory warnings or advisory labels). The FSANZ code regulates a number of items that concern olive oil, such as labelling requirements.

Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC)

The ACCC is Australia’s competition regulator and national consumer law champion, promoting competition and fair trading according to the rights and responsibilities of individuals and organisations laid out by the Australian Consumer Law. With regards to olive oil, the ACCC is particularly focused on claims made on labels, and seeks to ensure that the labelling is truthful and not misleading for consumers. Distributors or producers found to have product labels that mislead or

The ACCC publishes information to help consumers buying olive oil. The ACCC recognise that in Australia a voluntary “Australian Standard AS5264-2011″ exists that is not aligned with the prevailing IOC standard, however have noted previously that products are most likely to be assessed against the standard against which their product label claims to be associated. Where a product label does not carry an association with a particular standard, the ACCC advises product owners that their product may be assessed against either or both standards, or whichever is considered most relevant.

Department of Agriculture – Quarantine & Import testing

5% of all food products coming into Australia are subject to the Random Food Import Inspection program, run by the Department of Agriculture. This program is targeted for risk and ensures that food products coming into Australia meet our legal and food safety requirements. Distributors and producers need to be aware of the details contained in the relevant Australian laws. To find out more about importing food products into Australia, click here.

For general food and beverage importing enquiries, organisations may choose to be a member of the Food & Beverage Importers Association (FBIA). To find out more about the FBIA, click here.

Australian State Bodies

Each state in Australia has the power to regulate the standards and laws of Australian (including FSANZ codes and Australian Consumer Law). Each state has relevant health agencies and consumer affairs agencies that are responsible for the monitoring and investigation of issues, and can seek action against organisations who are found to be non-compliant.