Ban on Spanish Olive Oil Lifted

JEDDAH, 11 July 2005 — The Minister of Commerce issued a decision lifting the ban on importing refined olive residue oil and olive oil mixture, which is produced by mixing virgin olive oil with refined olive residue oil. Due to concerns over consumers’ health safety, the ministry issued the ban on these olive oils from Spain four years ago after scientific studies found that Spanish oil extracted from olive residue contain a high percentage of benzopirin which is harmful to health.