Finkelstein Thompson LLP is investigating reports that consumers may have purchased olive oil which, contrary to its label, contained oils other than olive oil.

 According to USA Today and ABC News, some olive oil producers may have diluted their olive oil with non-olive based food oils. Such food oils include peanut, soy, and hazelnut oil. The Food and Drug Administration has recently stated that olive oil is one of the most frequently counterfeited food products. The problem has prompted Connecticut and California to recently enacted laws regulating the purity of olive oil. Additionally, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (“FALCPA”) was enacted in August 2004 to address the labeling of foods that contain certain food allergens. FALCPA's requirements apply to all packaged foods sold in the U.S. that are regulated by the FDA, including both domestically manufactured and imported foods. Eight "major food allergens" are subject to FALCPA labeling requirements. Under FALCPA, a "major food allergen" is an ingredient that contains protein derived from milk, egg, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts (i.e. hazelnut), wheat, peanuts, and soybeans.

If you believe you have purchased adulterated olive oil and wish to discuss your rights and interests in this matter, please contact our Washington, D.C. office at 202.337.8000 or by email at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .