Commodity Specification for Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The Agricultural Marketing Service published a Special Notice thanking the public for feedback on its new Commodity Specification for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The specification establishes quality standards that olive oil must meet to be procured under federal contracts, requiring products to adhere to sensory and chemical attribute guidelines from the American Olive Oil Producers Association or Olive Oil Commission of California.

The specification provides instructions for potential contractors, requiring all olive oil to be 100% grown, processed, packed, stored, and shipped from the United States or territories. New vendors must submit olive oil samples to an ISO-accredited lab for testing before first delivery and annually to remain eligible. The olive oil is to be packaged in 6/16.9 fluid ounce dark glass bottles packed in cases of 3,360 bottles for truck shipment. Eligible contractors must meet these packaging, sourcing and sampling requirements to qualify for future federal procurement opportunities outlined in the specification.