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<pre>> most of the people around the Mediterranean region who consume
> somewhere between 10 - 15 kg/person/year.

Yes - according to Kiritsakis[1], Greece is top (20.8 kg pa), then Spain
(10.0) and Italy (8.1). He says "The consumption of olive oil in the United
States has been increased considerably the last years." but gives no figures.

I did a rough calculation on the Greek consumption a while ago and found that
this represents 1/4 to 1/3 of the energy (calorie) requirement for the
average adult - just from olive oil!!!

Adrian

[1] Kiritsakis, A.K. (Ed) (1991) Olive Oil, American Oil Chemists' Society,
Champaign, Illinois.
--
Adrian.Shaw@aber.ac.uk
Sefydliad Y Gwyddorau Biolegol, Prifysgol Cymru,
Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Cymru
http://pcjagg.dbs.aber.ac.uk/mynegai.html
</pre>
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