<table border=0 cellpadding=2 cellspacing="0"><tr><td>
<pre>We have been away on holiday for ten days and I have only just
caught up with the messages.

For grades of oil European Union law rules OK! More than 95% of the
world production of olive oil comes from the Mediterranean and most of that
from the European countries in the Union.

For consumers there are four grade defined as commodities.


1. extravergine

2. vergine

3. olive oil, pure olive oil, light olive oil.

4. Olive oil and sansa (residues from the press) oil.


Outside the producing countries one rarely see anything but
extravergine and olive oil.

Remember these are commodity standards defined by acidity, heat
treatment etc and premium oils are "better" than extravergine.

Cheers Brian Chatterton.
</pre>
</td></tr></table>