HOP Seal for native olive oil
Quality seal of the the olive oil panel "Hanseatisches Olivenölpanel"
The accredited olive oil panel "Hanseatisches Olivenölpanel" (HOP) of Eurofins is a sensory panel officially approved by the Hanseatic City of Hamburg and recognised by the International Olive Council (IOC). This means that we meet the strict requirements for panels for the sensory evaluation and classification of virgin olive oils and are comparable to other international panels. Our HOP label is based on this qualification and recognition.
Background to the need for the label
Olive oils are available in three quality classes. However, the highest quality class, ‘extra virgin’, only means that a cold-pressed olive oil is free of sensory defects and has a fruity olive flavour. Olive oils that meet these minimum requirements are labelled in the same way as high-quality olive oils. This means that consumers can hardly tell from the label whether an olive oil is of high quality.
Visible proof of the quality of your olive oil
Image of the HOP label in German and English
We have developed the HOP Seal to highlight the sensory quality of high-quality olive oils. The HOP Seal allows you to communicate the qualitative characteristics of your olive oil to consumers with clear and understandable labelling. With our seal, your olive oil stands out from comparable products with a special USP. You will be able to demonstrate the continuous quality control of your olive oil and contribute to consumer education.
Quality criteria and scope of analysis
Sensory parameters
| Sensory parameters | Minimum value to obtain the HOP quality label | Standard acc. to Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2105 |
| Fruitiness | ≥ 5.0 | > 0 |
| Bitterness | - | - |
| Spiciness | - | - |
| Harmony | ≥ 6.5 | - |
| Median defects | = 0.0 | = 0.0 |
Chemical parameters
| Chemical parameters | Minimum value HOP quality label | Standard acc. to Regulation (EU) 2022/2104 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/2105 |
| Fatty acid profile | complies | complies |
| FFA | ≤ 0.35 % | ≤ 0.8 % |
| POZ | ≤ 7.5 meq O2/kg | ≤ 20 meq O2/ kg |
| K-values K232 | ≤ 2.1 | ≤ 2.5 |
| K-values K270 | ≤ 0.21 | ≤ 0.22 |
| ∆-K | ≤ 0.01 | ≤ 0.01 |
| Waxes | ≤ 70 mg/kg | ≤ 150 mg/kg |
| FAEE | ≤ 10 mg/kg | ≤ 35 mg/kg |
| Diacylglycerols | EF reference values | - |
| Pyropheophytin A | EF reference values | - |
| Pesticides | BNN für organic farming | Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 |
| MOSH/MOAH | guideline values BLL | - |
Do you have any questions?
Are you interested in the HOP label or do you have any questions? Our Panel Manager is looking forward to your enquiry.
Other interesting pages
Eurofins Analytik GmbH
t +49 (0)40 492 94-1510
m +49 (0)173 569 62 60
HOP@eurofins.de
Internationally operating olive oil panel of Eurofins Analytik GmbH