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Italy Toughens Penalties for Olive Oil Fraud

March 3, 2016 - Specialtyfood.com: "Italian lawmakers voted to toughen penalties for olive oil fraud after producers argued that a new decree could decriminalize olive oil counterfeiting. Both houses of Parliment recommended that the government ensure criminal law prevail over administrative sanctions in cases of commercial fraud. Olive oil producers previously worried that criminal charges would have been disregarded in favor of fines too small to discourage fraud."
"The houses also voted for stronger sanctions on false labeling and on a provision that would force repeat offenders to stop production for up to six months. Olive oil fraud has been increasing in the Italy due to poor harvests, olive oil fly infestations, and disease."

Italy Growers Wary of Olive Oil Fraud as New Law Is Weighed

February 27, 2016: The "New York Times reported that a draft legislative decree in the Italian Parliament would reduce penalties for counterfeit olive oil and origin fraud. Fraud would no longer be a criminal offense, but would be punished by a light fine. This proposal is being fought by small artesianal olive oil growers.