Cold water poured on olive oil plans

EU plans to ban olive oil in refillable containers from restaurants have been criticised by MEP Paul Nuttall.

The European Commission has declared that only pre-packaged, non-refillable factory bottles with tamperproof lids can be used from next year.

This will mean the end to the practice of restaurants sourcing their own artisan products to be used in bottles, jugs and dipping bowls.

“This is further meddling by unelected bureaucrats,” said Mr Nuttall, UKIP Deputy Leader.

"They should let the people decide what olive oil containers they want to use and not dictate uniformity from the centre. This ridiculous move is even contrary to their often repeated call in favour of re-using goods.

“Apparently the Commission currently has no plans to impose similar rules on packaging for butter, salt, pepper or any other dinner table staples.

“But I wouldn’t take bets that they won’t turn their attention to such items. Their rationale for the olive oil bottle restrictions is to ensure customers get the one they are paying for, so surely that could just as well apply to butter?

“Fraud is rife in the EU and that includes olive oil, with cheap versions sometimes passed off as expensive extra virgin oil from the top regions. I don’t believe this is a great problem in the UK and anyway surely connoisseurs would be able to tell the difference?

“Buying an expensive bottle in the supermarket and being fobbed off with a cheap version is one thing but dipping your bread in a spoonful of oil is hardly worthy of heavy handed legislation from oily unelected bureaucrats,” said Mr Nuttall, North West Euro-MP.