Spain’s extra virgin olive oil sector has reached what producers are calling a historic milestone after dozens of premium brands received approval to display new health-focused labels highlighting the product’s cardiovascular and antioxidant benefits.

The new labels – featuring the phrases ‘antioxidant protection’ and ‘reduces cholesterol’ – will now appear on certified extra virgin olive oils produced by members of QvExtra!.

Industry leaders say the move is designed to make scientifically recognised health benefits easier for consumers to understand at a glance.

The certification forms part of the SIQEV quality seal system, which imposes strict requirements on polyphenol levels, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E content.

According to the association, the new labels come after four years of scientific analysis, regulatory reviews and technical validation aligned with standards set by the European Food Safety Authority and EU nutritional health claims regulations.

Lawyers working with QvExtra! analysed existing EFSA-approved health claims and concluded that the phrases ‘antioxidant protection’ and ‘reduces cholesterol’ were the clearest and most consumer-friendly way to communicate already permitted health benefits under European law.

The labels themselves are not exclusive to QvExtra! producers, however.

European regulations prohibit companies from claiming unique health benefits tied exclusively to a specific brand.

That means any olive oil producer meeting the scientific and legal requirements could theoretically use similar health claims – provided they can independently verify compliance through their own certification systems.

Still, the specific SIQEV ‘heart’ label remains trademarked and reserved for certified members of the association.

QvExtra! stressed that its system includes independent external audits not only during production, but also at points of sale and throughout the product’s shelf life.

The association said the goal is to help consumers better understand the importance of olive oil quality, particularly the role played by bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and natural antioxidants.

QvExtra! currently represents 36 companies managing around 120,000 hectares of olive groves and producing more than 151 million kilos of extra virgin olive oil annually.

Many of its members have won some of the world’s most prestigious international olive oil awards.