How to Read an Olive Oil Label (And Not Get Fooled)
Learn how to spot high-quality extra virgin olive oil by decoding the label. From harvest dates to packaging, a little knowledge helps you avoid misleading claims and choose better oil.
When you’re standing in the aisle, staring at rows of olive oils, the labels can feel like a foreign language. Buzzwords like “pure,” “cold-pressed,” “light,” or even “extra virgin” might seem reassuring, but not all are created equal.
To buy a bottle that’s truly high quality, you have to read between the lines. Here’s how to decode olive oil labels with confidence, so you know exactly what you're getting.
What Should Be on a Quality Olive Oil Label?
1. The grade of oil
Look for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This is the highest grade with the best flavor and health benefits. Avoid labels that just say “pure,” “light,” or “olive oil”. These are usually refined and stripped of beneficial compounds.
2. Harvest date
A harvest date (not just a best-by date) tells you when the olives were picked. Look for oils harvested in the most recent season. Olive oil doesn’t age too well as it’s best enjoyed within 18–24 months of harvest.
3. Country (or region) of origin
Quality producers proudly state where their olives are grown and pressed. "Product of Greece" or even more specific like "Crete, Greece" is a great sign. Be wary of oils with vague labels like “Mediterranean blend,” which can mean lower quality mixed oils.
4. Certification or seal of quality
Some producers participate in third-party testing or certifications, such as PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or PGI (Protected Geographical Indication), or even NAOOA (for U.S. standards). These seals can offer some assurance of purity and origin.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- “Light” olive oil – This doesn’t mean fewer calories. It’s heavily refined and stripped of both flavor and nutrients.
- No harvest date – If there’s no harvest date, it may indicate the oil is blended with older batches and marketed as fresh. Transparency about harvest time is key to freshness.
- "Product of [Country]" without more detail – A “Product of Italy” label might only mean it was bottled there. The olives could have been grown and pressed in entirely different countries. Look for specific info on where the olives were grown, milled, and bottled.
- Plastic bottles – Plastic degrades under light and heat, potentially leaching microplastics into the oil. High-quality oils come in dark glass bottles to preserve taste and nutrients.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Trust the Front Label Alone
The front of the bottle is marketing. The real information is on the back, side, or a link to their website if available. That’s where you’ll usually find the harvest date, production methods, and origin details.
Why It Matters
The olive oil industry is notoriously unregulated in many countries. Low-quality oils are often diluted, misrepresented, or falsely labeled. But a bit of label literacy goes a long way.
At VIOS, we believe you deserve transparency. Our labels reflect what’s inside: real, fresh, cold-pressed Koroneiki olives from a single harvest in Crete. Always extra virgin. Always true to the source.
