Recently, amid a boom in slow aging and dieting, a recipe of drinking a mixture of olive oil and lemon juice on an empty stomach has gained popularity. However, it was found that capsule and stick type olive oil products show a sixfold price difference despite having no large differences in ingredients.

The Korea Consumer Agency announced on the 9th the results of tests and evaluations of the quality and safety of 14 capsule and stick type olive oil products currently distributed on the market.

According to the agency, olive oil showed large price differences by product between capsule and stick types. Based on a single serving, capsule products cost 263∼1093 KRW, and stick products 348∼2133 KRW, showing a gap of up to sixfold between products.

Per 1ｇ (1㎖) of olive oil, capsule products ranged from 263∼683 KRW, and stick products from 29∼178 KRW. Among capsules, the RejuX product was lowest at 263 KRW per 1g, and the Mindful product was highest at 683 KRW. Among sticks, the Nutrione product was the cheapest at 29 KRW per 1㎖, and the Iyaya & Friends product was the most expensive at 178 KRW.

Of the 14 products surveyed, 12 provided acidity information on online malls, but the actual acidity was 128∼311% higher than indicated. Acidity is a metric that reflects the degree of rancidity of an oil; the lower it is, the fresher the oil. However, the labeled acidity values are based on imported raw materials, and given the properties of olive oil, acidity appears to have risen naturally as storage time elapsed.

By product, fatty acids were at 84~88% unsaturated fat and 12~16% saturated fat, and oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid, accounted for 73~81% of total fatty acids, exceeding the international minimum standard of 53%.

For safety parameters including acid value and iodine value, which indicate oil freshness, as well as peroxide value, heavy metals, and antioxidants, all products met the relevant standards. The fatty acid composition, which determines olive oil quality, also complied with the Codex Alimentarius (CODEX) standards.

The agency emphasized that while olive oil contains beneficial components such as unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, it is a high-calorie food that provides 9㎉ per 1g, so intake should be controlled.

It added that excessive intake can cause abdominal pain or nausea, so it is advisable to consume an appropriate amount.

The agency plans to continue providing information on the quality and safety of various foods through ‘Consumer24(www.consumer.go.kr)’ to support rational consumption by consumers.