CSQA CERTIFIES UMBRIAN DOP OIL
CSQA, the leading national certification body in the agri-food sector, will carry out checks on the DOP-Protected Designation of Origin “Olio Umbro” which involves over 1,000 olive growers, 80 oil mills and 70 packers. There will be around 800,000 liters of certified oil.
The protected designation of origin "Umbria" is reserved for extra virgin olive oil that meets specific requirements. The PDO must be accompanied by one of the 5 geographical mentions depending on the variety of olive tree used:
“Colli Assisi Spoleto” is characterized by extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: Moraiolo in an amount of no less than 60%; Leccino and Frantoio, present alone or jointly, in an amount not exceeding 30%. Other varieties may compete up to a maximum limit of 10%.
“Colli Martani” is characterized by extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: Moraiolo in an amount of not less than 20%; S. Felice, Leccino and Frantoio, present alone or jointly, in an amount not exceeding 80%. Other varieties may compete up to a maximum limit of 10%.
“Colli Amerini” is characterized by extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following varieties of olive trees: Moraiolo and Dolce Agogia in an amount of no less than 15%; Rajo, Frantoio and Leccino, present alone or jointly, in an amount not exceeding 85%. Other varieties may compete up to a maximum limit of 20%.
“Colli del Trasimeno” is characterized by extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: Moraiolo and Dolce Agogia in an amount of no less than 15%; Frantoio and Leccino jointly in no less than 65%. %. Other varieties may compete up to a maximum limit of 20%.
“Colli Orvietani” is characterized by extra virgin olive oil obtained from the following olive varieties: Moraiolo in an amount of not less than 15%; Crusher in an amount not exceeding 30%.; Leccino in an amount not exceeding 60%. Other varieties may compete up to a maximum limit of 20%.
Each operator in the supply chain (olive grower, oil mill and packager), each for the phase of the production process in which he is involved, carries out a series of checks aimed at verifying the traceability of the product. In particular, the olive grower registered with the DOP Umbria, at the time of delivery of the olives to the mill, ensures that he has complied with the disciplined cultivation requirements, yields and harvest dates, and that he confers the olives to millers registered with the DOP Umbria.
The miller verifies the origin, the correct identification of the olives, the observance of the harvest dates, the adequacy, completeness and correspondence of the data included in the transport documentation provided by the olive grower. During the milling process, the miller records all the data relating to the milling activity which shows the traceability of the oil. This is identified and separated according to the geographical mentions provided for by the specification. It is then stored in special tanks identified and specific for the single geographical mention.
The packer registered with the Umbria DOP verifies that the batch of oil was obtained from olives from olive growers registered with the Umbria DOP and milled at mills registered with the Umbria DOP and that it is accompanied by documentation relating to traceability.
As far as the cultivation characteristics are concerned, they must be traditional and typical of the area. Finally, for the extraction of extra virgin olive oil, only mechanical and physical processes are allowed to guarantee the obtainment of oils without any alteration of the qualitative characteristics contained in the fruit.
“ Umbrian oil – explained Pietro Bonato , General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of CSQA – is a Made in Italy product that represents us all over the world . The requisites necessary to produce it, in fact, are closely linked to the raw materials of the Umbria Region, processed using traditional techniques. The characteristics for each geographical mention are then regulated according to rigorous standards. We are very proud to embark on this new path, confident that we are once again dealing with a precious and truly special product, one of the symbols of that Italy, made up of food and wine specialties, which we want to safeguard ”.
“The role of the control body in a certification system is strategic and of fundamental importance, since it is the one who is responsible for controlling all stages of production and it is therefore important that it is efficient and that it responds to the suggestions of the companies and the Consortium. We are convinced that CSQA, thanks to its reputation, professionalism and experience, will make a strong contribution to product protection. The DOP Umbria has a history of almost twenty years, it was the first DOP of oil to represent an entire regional territory and is among the first DOPs in terms of certified volumes at national level and therefore has important market potential - said Leonardo Laureti, President of the Consortium of protection - Organization, constancy of production, quality and control of the supply chain, are the ingredients that are needed to enhance a product of excellence . The protection Consortium will undertake to provide its contribution, because only through continuous collaboration between the various subjects, the PDO Umbria will be able to grow and establish itself ".