Mediterranean Magazine: NAOOA Spearheads Largest Olive Oil Testing Study

FALL 2023 Luxury Chamber Media Group

Dr. Tassos C. Kyriakides

North American Olive Oil Association Announces Nation's Most Comprehensive Olive Oil Testing Study Effort to Bolster Consumer Confidence as Heat and Drought Conditions Raise Prices The North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), whose members represent over half the olive oil sold in the United States, today announced plans to commission the nation's most comprehensive, rigorous olive oil testing study to date. In the spirit of collaboration, NAOOA has invited other industry stakeholders to provide both strategic and financial support for this important project.

The announcement comes as drought in Europe and elsewhere in the Mediterranean has caused lower yields and tightening global olive oil supplies. These market conditions are expected to keep olive oil prices at historic highs for the coming months. In light of these circumstances, the NAOOA testing study is intended to further strengthen consumer confidence in the authenticity and quality of the olive oil they buy.

"Our industry has successfully undertaken an ambitious, years-long effort to significantly improve the quality of olive oil in the American marketplace. As a result, consumers today can have tremendous confidence in the integrity of the olive oil available in U.S. stores," said Joseph R. Profaci, executive director of the NAOOA. "As prices climb due to current market conditions, we think it's even more important to assure consumers that they're getting the quality and authenticity they deserve. That's why we're launching this testing effort, which sets a new, even higher standard for our industry. The NAOOA has conducted random, off-theshelf testing of both members' and non-members' products for years, but this study will vastly broaden those efforts."

This study's aim is to create a new benchmark for olive oil testing, further strengthening the quality of olive oil industrywide. The NAOOA has asked Tassos C. Kyriakides, Ph.D., assistant professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health, to design and oversee a sampling protocol that will set the standard for the industry, with the following proposed elements: Largest Sample Size: The program will test over 200 samples, which is more than any single domestic study conducted previously.

Retail Samples: The program will test olive oil purchased directly from supermarkets and other retail outlets – not from samples supplied directly from producers.

Foodservice Samples: The program will sample olive oils from wholesalers who supply restaurants and other foodservice outlets.

Geographic Diversity: Olive oils will be tested proportionately from across the country to reflect geographic distribution.

Branded and Private Label: The testing will encompass both proprietary brands and private label products.

Sampling by Independent Sampling Agencies: The sampling will be conducted by independent sampling agencies unaffiliated with the olive oil industry in accordance with strict protocols based on regulatory guidance.

Testing in Independent, Accredited Lab: The testing will be conducted in an independent lab accredited by the International Olive Council (IOC), an organization chartered by the United Nations more than 60 years ago to oversee standards for the production and quality of olive oil around the world.

Full Physico-Chemical and Organoleptic Testing: Each sample will be subject to full chemical and organoleptic (sensory) testing of all parameters that are included in the proposed federal standard of identity for olive oil (including PPP and DAGs).

Inclusive of All Grades: The study will test all olive oil grades and types commonly available to U.S. consumers (i.e., extra virgin, regular and light-tasting).

"Olive oil is one of the healthiest foods people can eat, but consumers who lack confidence in it will sadly turn to other, less healthful oils," said Dr. Kyriakides. "That's why this testing program is so important. It's designed to test olive oil at a scale and level of transparency never seen before, so consumers can continue to feel great about buying this incredibly healthy food."

The testing program will begin sampling in early 2024 to coincide with the first major shipments of olive oil from the most recent northern hemisphere growing season. The study is being announced in advance in part to deter any potential misconduct by bad actors seeking to capitalize on current market conditions. For any oil that fails to meet authenticity standards, the NAOOA intends to notify the responsible parties and take any responsive actions deemed appropriate under the circumstances, up to and including notification of government authorities and/or initiating direct legal action.

Contact: info@naooa.org

Ancient Wonders, Modern Luxury: Four Seasons Egypt Invites Travellers to Take a Fresh Look at the World's Most Enduring Destination with New Experiences and Customized Adventures From the classics and to the eclectic, the River Nile to the Mediterranean and Red Seas, Four Seasons guides guests through centuries of history, culture and adventure and the thrilling diversity of 21st century Egypt A fixture on any serious traveller's itinerary for centuries thanks to its abundant architectural marvels and important historic sites, Egypt is now a favoured destination for those seeking deep cultural immersion, craving the thrill of adventure, treasure hunting in the markets, thirsting for pan-Arab dining and delighting in Insta-worthy views at every turn.

This summer, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza, Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano and Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh invites travellers to discover – and rediscover – it all.

In the company of true royalty, witness where the story of life began with the 5000-year-old Pyramids of Egypt, the only remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World.

In the company of true royalty, witness where the story of life began with the 5000-year-old Pyramids of Egypt, the only remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the World.

"The incredible thing about Egypt is that there's always more – from exciting archaeological finds and newly restored landmarks to its more recent emergence as a playground for desert and sea adventures, and the many exciting new attractions just waiting to be experienced," says Simon Casson, President, Hotel Operations - Europe, Middle East and Africa. "With the insider knowledge and genuine care that only Four Seasons can provide, a truly memorable experience will leave guests with only one question: when are we coming back again?"

Well-established in Egypt for more than two decades, Four Seasons can customize the perfect holiday for families, couples and friends in one, two or more Egyptian destinations, completely tailored to individual needs and wants. With insider access, trusted local guides and seamless travel arrangements – not to mention the comfort of luxurious accommodations at the end of each adventure-filled day – all that's left to do is enjoy every moment.

Top of the list for any visitor to Egypt is the highly anticipated opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo. None other than Ramses II (in the form of an 11 metre / 36 foot statue carved 32 centuries ago) welcomes visitors to the largest archaeological museum in the world. The striking contemporary building houses most of the treasures unearthed a century ago in King Tut's tomb, plus more than 100,000 additional artifacts spanning 7,000 years of Egyptian history and culture. GEM is partially open now, with an expected grand opening later this year.

From there, the opportunities are endless. Below is a taste of the possibilities, a few recommendations, and ways to get started on planning an Egyptian adventure this summer.

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VisitMalta.com Announces the Maltese Islands are welcoming EU tourists As more EU Citizens are becoming fully vaccinated against the Coronavirus, travel restrictions around Europe are beginning to ease. Malta is proud to be considered one of the safest summer destinations in Europe, having reached herd immunity (with over 80% of adults vaccinated) and hopes to safely welcome EU tourists this summer.

Several hotels in the Maltese Islands are offering financial incentives through the Free Independent Travelers (FIT) program. The financial incentive ranges from 100 to 200 euro per person and can be spent on services within the hotel property. The complete offering can be found under this link.

"All our decisions strive to find a balance and give priority to the health of Maltese citizens and the tourists who will come into our country," said tourism and consumer protection minister Clayton Bartolo in the latest press release.

Travel Advice Update (EU Countries) Mask wearing on beaches and pools is advised but no longer required, while a maximum of 2 people may remove their masks in outside public spaces if they have been vaccinated and they have an official vaccination certificate.

Beach Bars, Cafes, Restaurants and culture clubs are open and can host up to six people per table, discos and nightclubs are closed.

No quarantine or other restrictions apply for fully vaccinated tourists coming from the EU, while unvaccinated tourists from the same countries must go through a mandatory quarantine. For the latest updates be sure to check out the COVID-19 info page.

Why visit Malta?

Located about 50 miles south of Sicily, Malta is a small archipelago that boasts a Mediterranean climate with over 300 sunny days per year and a top-ranked healthcare system. It is the perfect location for tourism with a primarily Englishspeaking population, shown by its growing popularity year on year.

There are many stunning beaches to choose from, not only for swimming but also for water sports and diving, including the Blue Lagoon, Paradise Bay, and Golden Bay. Diving around the Maltese Islands is a real joy and there are several caves, wrecks, walls, and reefs to explore. Offering a wide choice of shore and boat dives at varying depths, there's something to suit divers of all abilities, such as swimming with large groupers, dentex and barracudas at Reqqa Reef in Gozo or exploring the fascinating cave systems at Santa Maria Caves in Comino.

Mezli Launches World's First Fully-Autonomous Restaurant in San Francisco Mezli, a startup based in San Mateo, CA, has announced the launch of its fully-autonomous robotic restaurant, the first of its kind in the world. The restaurant, located in the Spark Social food park in San Francisco, will be celebrating its grand opening on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Mezli's restaurant will be the first-ever to serve a full hot menu to customers without requiring any human intervention. This automated approach allows Mezli to offer its menu of Mediterranean grain bowls, sides, and drinks at a significantly lower price point than similar fastcasual restaurants – its grain bowls start at $6.99 – providing a healthy, convenient and affordable dining option for neighborhood residents and workers.

Mezli was founded by a team of Stanford engineers: Alex Kolchinski, Alex Gruebele, and Max Perham. As graduate students at Stanford, Mezli's founders found that they had no nearby food options that were convenient, affordable, and healthy. Putting their technical backgrounds to use, they teamed up with Michelin-star chef Eric Minnich to solve the problem with a combination of robotic and culinary innovation.

Mezli's approach of unlocking fresh, healthy food at affordable prices by reimagining the nature of food service from the ground up has already attracted attention. "It resonates with me," Mezli's investor Pieter Abbeel said. "Anything physical is always harder than you think, so if you don't come up with a first principles way to solve it, it will be difficult. In addition, from day one, the food was being served and that is compelling."

Looking ahead, after the launch at Spark Social, the Mezli team plans to expand to multiple locations while also widening the culinary options available through the Mezli platform. Because robotic Mezli restaurants are smaller and cheaper to build than traditional fast-casual restaurants, they can be deployed in a wider range of locations, at a smaller carbon footprint per location, while serving fresh, healthy meals at a low price point. It's exactly that offering that Mezli's team plans to eventually make available nationwide.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade Promotes Trade Agenda during Florida Visit United Arab Emirates (UAE) Minister of State for Foreign Trade HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi recently concluded a successful two-day visit to Florida, which focused on expanding the bilateral UAE-US trade and commercial relationship.

His trip to the "Sunshine State" builds on recent economic development missions to the UAE by local South Florida officials.

Minister Al Zeyoudi met with Broward County Mayor Michael Udine, Ft. Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam, and Chairman of the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners Jose "Pepe" Diaz.

The leaders discussed ways to enhance collaboration between the UAE and Florida, with a focus on investment, tourism, city planning, and healthcare. These meetings follow a delegation in March by Florida mayors to Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai where they engaged with the UAE business community and attended closing events for Expo 2020 Dubai including visiting the US Pavilion.

"Florida is the commercial gateway to the Americas and the UAE sits at the crossroads of global trade and commerce. It makes perfect sense that the Emirates is developing close ties with this economically vibrant region," said UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade HE Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi. "The UAE was pleased to host multiple delegations of Florida mayors recently and we remain committed to expanding economic partnership opportunities here."

In Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Minister Zeyoudi attended high level business development and networking events and meetings hosted by the U.S.-U.A.E. Business Council, The International Trade Consortium (ITC), Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership promoting economic development in Florida, and eMerge Americas, an organizing focused on establishing Miami as the tech hub of the Americas.

In 2021, Florida exported over $1 billion of goods to the U.A.E., making it one of the top 10 states exporting to the Emirates. These exports supported an estimated 6,000 U.S. jobs. The U.A.E. also exported over $180 million of goods to Florida that same year.

During Miami Mayor Frances Suarez's visit to the UAE in March, he signed a sister city agreement alongside HE Abdulla Al Basti, Secretary-General of The Executive Council of Dubai, deepening ties between the cities of Dubai and Miami.

Crown Prince of Dubai H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum attended that signing ceremony.

In July 2021, Emirates Airline began its first-ever passenger service between Dubai and Miami, opening new business and leisure opportunities between the U.A.E. and South Florida. Emirates has also been flying to Orlando since 2015, and it previously serviced South Florida through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from 2016 through 2020.

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Gundry MD has now sold over 2 million units of one of its best-selling products, Gundry MD PolyphenolRich Olive Oil. Inspired by Dr. Steven Gundry, a pioneer in nutrition and world-renowned heart surgeon, this one-of-a-kind olive oil is enriched with an impressive 30-fold increase in polyphenol content compared to standard "store-bought" olive oils. With this boost in polyphenol content, the Gundry MD olive oil offers extra support for smooth skin, a healthy heart, and strong muscles.*

Chop to it this summer with recipes from Veal.org Create juicy veal chops with sundried tomato gremolata to level up your dining experience uicy grilled veal chops with sundried tomato gremolata are delicious and perfect for your summer grilling menus.

The mixture of sun-dried tomatoes and herbs takes a perfect veal chop to the next level of flavor. Grilled veal chops are easy to make at home on the grill, and they deliver a next-level eating experience.

For the grilled veal chops 4 Veal chops 6 Tbsp. Oil Salt & Pepper Rosemary Balsamic Reduction Create juicy veal chops with sundried tomato gremolata to level up your dining experience!

Create juicy veal chops with sundried tomato gremolata to level up your dining experience!

For the sun-dried tomato gremolata 3 oz Sun-dried tomatoes, minced ⅛ cup Parsley, chopped 2 cloves Garlic, finely minced 1 Lemon, zested Salt Instructions In a small bowl, whisk together the sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, garlic, lemon zest, and salt. Set aside.

Rub the chops in olive oil, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with rosemary and let rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prep a 2zone fire on your grill with charcoal on one side of the grill. Cover and preheat.

Place chops on the hot side of the grill for 3 to 4 minutes. Rotate and grill another 2 minutes. Flip chops and place on the cooler side of the grill. Cover and cook 4 to 5 minutes longer until the chops reach an internal temperature of 140 degrees F as measured by a meat thermometer. Remove from the grill and rest on a plate covered with foil for 5 minutes. The internal temperature will rise to 145 degrees F for medium rare while the chops rest.

To serve, slice the chops from the bone, and then slice the steaks into thin strips against the grain. Drizzle with the balsamic reduction and spoon the sun-dried tomato gremolata over the chops. Season with salt and pepper.

One recipe just doesn't cut it? Find more recipes from Kita at Girl Carnivore and on veal.org, funded by beef farmers and ranchers!

Recipe and Image by Kita Roberts About The Beef Checkoff: The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.