IMPLICATIONS FOR THE FUTURE AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MODIFICATIONS TO CURRENT REGULATIONS CONCERNING VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

The main conclusions of the FLAIR project can be summarized as follows : 1. The sensory wheel set up by the FLAIR team is proposed as a Europ ean standard to evaluate the sensory profile of extra virgin olive oil . 2. Preference studies demonstrate that the sensory profile of extra virgin olive oil should be optimized as a function of consumer expecta tions. Once a sensory profile has been selected, it must be used as a reference for product standardization. 3. Sensory analysis cannot be u sed as a legal tool for evaluating the quality or the origin of extra virgin olive oils. It is suggested that a sensory test can only be use d as a legal tool if it is applied to assess the absence of defects. T his implies a modification of the COI test. 4. The Good Manufacturing Practices set up by the Flair team are proposed as a European standard for process control and quality system certification. 5. Nutritional studies demonstrate that extra virgin olive oil has a noticeable in vi vo antioxidant activity. This activity is related to the tocopherols a nd phenols content of oil and is highly variety-dependent.