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www.gourmetnews.com 8 Oli e Aceti • Gourmet News First-Ever IOC Award to a Chinese Olive Oil Producer The International Olive Council, the world's only intergovernmental organiza- tion to bring together olive oil and table olive producing and consuming stakehold- ers, recognized the best extra virgin olive oil from around the world at the 2018 Mario Solinas Quality Awards on June 29 in New York. Winners represented Mo- rocco, Spain, Portugal, and for the first time in the history of the awards, China. "The Mario Solinas Quality Awards en- courage the production of extra virgin olive oils displaying harmonious organolep- tic characteristics," said Jaime Lillo, Deputy Di- rector. "For the first time ever, a Chinese producer – Longnan Garden City Olive Tech- nology Development Co. – achieved top hon- ors, demonstrating true dedication to rigorous standards for cultiva- tion and production." This year's competi- tion included 189 oils submitted from 11 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Oils were clas- sified into four cate- gories and judged by nine leaders of an international tasting panel. Winners in each of the four cate- gories included Castilla de Canena Olive Juice, S.L. for intense green fruitiness; Do- maine Arije from Marrakech, Morocco; for medium green fruitiness; Sociedade Agri- cola Vale do Ouro, S.A. from ferreira do Alentejo, Portugal, for mild green fruiti- ness, and the Longnan Garden City Olive Technology Development Co. Ltd. for ripe fruitiness. IOC Launches Website for U.S. Market IOC's new U.S. market-facing website for its promotional campaign, The Olive Oil Promise, went live on June 26. The site – www.internationaloliveoilusa.org – offers an opportunity to learn about olive oil and the markers of good quality, the health benefits associated with olive oil consump- tion, and simple recipes for incorporating olive oil into everyday cuisine. About the International Olive Council The International Olive Council is an in- tergovernmental organization created in 1959 and based in Madrid, Spain. It is charged with implementing the 2015 In- ternational Agreement on Olive Oil and Table Olives, the purpose of which is to promote trade, consumption and interna- tional cooperation in the fields of olive oil and olives. Visit www.internationalo- liveoil.org for more information. GN Bellucci Sicilia PGI Organic EVOO wins Silver Award at NYIOOC Bellucci introduces the newest addition to its Legendary Series: award-winning Si- cilia PGI Organic extra virgin olive oil. Fresh from the 2017-2018 harvest season, this Sicilia PGI Organic is the recipient of a Silver Award at the prestigious 2018 New York International Olive Oil Compe- tition. Why is PGI (Protected Geographic In- dication) certification so important? Sim- ply put, it means Sicily is the authentic source of origin for this prized oil. In 2016, the European Commission ap- proved the Protected Geographical Indi- cation PGI 'Sicilia' (Sicily) for extra virgin olive oil produced on the island. Such certifications promote the develop- ment of specific rural regions and popu- lations, which are related to agricultural products with special quality character- istics and protect the interests of both growers and consumers. It is transparency at its best in the greater fight against food fraud. Bellucci Si- cilia PGI Organic ensures the olives were grown, the oil pressed and bottled all in Sicily. Sicilian EVOO is among the world's most fragrant and appetizing. The fertile volcanic soil and hot sunny climate yield an abundance of cultivars, each with a depth and range of unique fruity, peppery and bitter flavor notes. Consumers seeking greater on-label vis- ibility into the origins of the food in their shopping basket are on the rise. Shoppers are seeking new depths of information, in- cluding organic growing methods, sustain- able sourcing and making a real connection to the people who grow and produce their food. With the Bellucci traceability app, every bottle of Bellucci extra virgin olive oil is fully traceable to its source in rural Italy. For more information, visit www.belluc- cipremium.com. GN "For the first time ever, a Chinese producer – Longnan Garden City Olive Technology Development Co. – achieved top honors, demonstrating true dedication to rigorous standards for cultivation and production." — Jaime Lillo, Deputy Director

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