Manaus, Brazil, Aug. 14, 2026 (Lusa) - Tests carried out in Brazil have highlighted issues with the labelling of olive oils marketed by three Portuguese brands and sold as extra virgin, according to preliminary results released as part of a public civil action, which the Brazilian authorities do not yet consider conclusive.
The analyses were carried out as part of a public civil action brought by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF), following a court order, with the preliminary results indicating discrepancies between the classification stated on the labels and that verified in the samples, according to the local press.
According to official data, Brazil imports most of the olive oil it consumes, with Portugal being the largest exporter, supplying 53% of the vegetable fats and oils consumed in Brazil.
When questioned on Thursday by Lusa, Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock clarified that the results are preliminary and are still subject to expert analysis and cross-checking, and therefore do not allow for definitive conclusions regarding product compliance.
The ministry emphasised to Lusa that the preliminary findings, on their own, do not indicate a risk to public health, adding that any situations which may pose a danger to consumers are subject to immediate inspection and notification measures.
The ministry declined, however, to officially confirm the brands involved in the analyses, stating that the inspection procedures are still ongoing and that companies are entitled to the right to request additional testing as provided for by law.
«The right to expert analysis and additional testing is guaranteed by law to companies in accordance with the principles of the right to be heard and the right to a full defence,» it added.
According to the Brazilian press, the results published include the Portuguese brands Andorinha, Gallo and Terras de Camões.
The first two are associated with samples marketed as extra virgin olive oil which, according to the analyses, would correspond to the virgin olive oil category, whilst the Terras de Camões sample was classified as lampante olive oil.
The classification of an olive oil as extra virgin requires compliance with certain quality parameters; the virgin category is of a lower standard, whilst lampante olive oil is generally intended for refining and cannot be sold directly for consumption as olive oil.
«In the regular trade in imported olive oils, the number of non-compliances is low and those detected generally do not pose a risk to consumer health,» emphasised the Brazilian Government, noting that as 99% of the olive oil consumed in Brazil is imported, inspection is an ongoing monitoring process rather than a one-off issue with a set deadline.
«The ministry's main concern relates to fraud in the domestic market, which is committed by clandestine companies that mix vegetable oils – usually soya oil – with colourings and flavourings. These products do indeed pose a risk to consumer health, as they are produced without any controls using raw materials of unknown origin,» it added.
In addition to Portuguese brands, the Spanish brands Gomes da Costa and Costa d'Oro, the Italian brand Filippo Berio and Carrefour's own brand were found to have classification issues.
In a statement sent to Lusa, Andorinha, part of the Sovena group, indicated that it «is closely monitoring the news reports regarding olive oil analyses carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and is awaiting further information from the authorities to fully ascertain the facts, whilst remaining available to provide the necessary cooperation».
«The company complies with the regulations in force in the country and supports oversight and transparency in verifying the quality of all products in the sector,» it added.
In a statement to the local press, Gallo said it had taken note of the allegations raised and had taken steps to investigate the facts internally.
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