In a 2007 New Yorker magazine article, “Slippery Business: The Trade in Adulterated Olive Oil,” Tom Mueller reported on fraud in the olive oil industry. Three years later, the UC Davis Olive Center weighed in with a study showing that a majority of oil exports to the United States had been falsely labeled as extra virgin.

Now Mueller, a free-lance journalist, is coming out with a book, Extra Virginity: The Sublime and Scandalous World of Olive Oil, and he is having the book’s world release at UC Davis, Tuesday, Nov. 29, at the Conference Center.

"Tom chose the UC Davis Olive Center for the release because he believes that the Olive Center has strong potential to lead the world in improving olive oil quality for consumers," said Dan Flynn, executive director of the Olive Center. Try some of OUR olive oil!

The book release organizers said a program will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., and a reception will follow. The event is free and open to the public, with RSVPs requested.

Publisher W.W. Norton & Co. Inc. describes Mueller’s book as “a story of globalization, deception and crime in the food industry from ancient times to the present, and a powerful indictment of today's lax protections against fake and even toxic food products in the United States.”

“A rich and deliciously readable narrative, Extra Virginity is also an inspiring account of the artisanal producers, chemical analysts, chefs and food activists who are defending the extraordinary oils that truly deserve the name ‘extra-virgin’.”

Online

UC Davis Olive Center

UC Davis news release: “Most imported olive oils don’t match ‘extra virgin’ claims, study finds” (July 14, 2010)

UC Davis news release: “Imported olive oil quality unreliable, study finds” (April 13, 2011)

New treats in California Harvest Gift Boxes

California Harvest Gift Boxes from women’s crew will come with two new treats this year: olive oil and candied almonds.

Even with the addition, the price is the same: $36. Proceeds support the rowing team.

The wooden boxes (with the Aggie athletics logo etched on top) also come with chocolate, sun-dried tomatoes, black olives, garlic, honey, almonds, dried fruit, organic raisins and organic popcorn.
Everything is from California, and many of the gourmet goodies are from local producers with UC Davis connections.

The $36 price applies to boxes that you pick up in Davis. Or, for the same price, you can have the boxes delivered in Davis or Sacramento. The boxes can be mailed at additional cost.

For a California Harvest Gift Box order form, click here (and download the PDF), or contact rowing coach Carissa Adams, (530) 867-1494 or cradams@ucdavis.edu. The rowing club can accommodate recharges, for departments wishing to buy the boxes for official UC business purposes.

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