I wanted to take a moment and applaud the decision by the USDA to revise the decades old standard of olive oil grading. What this means for producers and, more importantly consumers, is that you will finally know what you are getting when you go to the store. Currently, shelves are lined with bottles featuring a multitude of claims, none of which hold much weight. Under the new standards, there will be a common language for trade and consumers will be assured of quality in the olive oil they buy.

Groups like the California Olive Oil Council have worked tirelessly to raise the bar of quality in terms of olive and new standards like this ar bolstering their efforts. You can read more here - www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-business/usda-revises-194 src="http://fromthegrove.lucerooliveoil.com/emoticons/eek.png" border="0" />live-oil-standards