Purpose of the COOC Certification Program

There are three related purposes of the COOC certification program.

• • The first is to provide producers and marketers with a standardized method of grading their 100% California olive oil as extra virgin.
• • The second is to provide consumers with assurance that the oil they purchase is in fact extra virgin.
• • The third is to provide producers and marketers who meet the certification standard with a means of distinguishing their products in the marketplace.

Overview of the Certification Process

To gain certification, you must submit your oil(s) to the COOC Panel of Tasters for sensory evaluation and also have a chemical analysis conducted. The chemical analysis will determine if the oil contains 0.5 % or less free fatty acids as well as a peroxide value of 20 meq O2/kg or less. Additionally, if you produce 100 gallons or more the ultra violet absorbency analysis is also required.

Chemical Analysis Requirements

The oil has an acidity level, in terms of oleic free fatty acid, of not more than 0.5 % and a peroxide value of 20 meq O2/kg or less Ultra Violet Absorbency for extra virgin olive oil as follows (required for 100 gallons or more):

• • K 270 less than 0.22
• • K 232 less than 2.50
• • Delta K less than 0.01

The Panel of Tasters

The Panel of Tasters ascertains defects as well as desirable attributes of extra virgin olive oils. The tasters have undertaken a training and certification program. The team meets at least twice each month for the dual purpose of selecting oils for the COOC program as well as for continual training.

Procedure

Send payment to the California Olive Oil Council. We accept check, Amex, Visa or Mastercard. The fee for basic members is $ 225 for the first submitted oil, $ 125 per oil thereafter from the same producer. The fee is non-refundable. Oils will not be evaluated unless the fee has been received. A complete fee list is available through the COOC office or at the COOC web site. Please note that if you produce 100 gallons or less, there is a special small production fee of $ 125.

Submit documentation of the chemical analysis requirements to the COOC. If more than one oil is analyzed, please identify the oils specifically. A COOC certified lab must conduct the analysis. A list is available on the web site.

At least one week before the Panel of Tasters convenes, send a sample of the oil(s) to the COOC office at 801 Camelia Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710.

• • Two bottles of the sample are required.
• • The sample should be 250 ml or larger.
• • The bottles should be carefully labeled.

The fees and laboratory analysis should be sent to California Olive Oil Council, 801 Camelia Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94710. For further information, please email the COOC office at oliveoil@cooc.com or call 888-718-9830.

Results

After your oil has been evaluated, you will be notified in writing by the COOC. This normally takes 3 weeks. The results are confidential. If your oil is passed and meets the requirements of the chemical analysis, you will be eligible to use the COOC seal if all requirements are met and required documentation is completed including the mark license agreement, which regulates the use of the COOC seal logo. If your oil is not evaluated as extra virgin, you may contact the COOC to discuss the results.