Expired Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Is It Safe to Use?

Have you ever found a forgotten bottle of extra virgin olive oil in your pantry, its expiration date already past? It's a common situation, and the question often arises: can I still use it or should I throw it away?

In this article, we'll explore everything you need to know about the safety and implications of using expired EVOO. We'll dispel myths, clarify common doubts, and provide useful information about olive oil shelf life and best practices.

EVO Oil and Expiration: What Does It Really Mean?


The expiration date for extra virgin olive oil, usually set around 18 months from bottling, indicates the period within which the producer guarantees the oil retains its organoleptic properties (depending on how it's stored, these months can be as short as 2 months): aroma, flavor, and nutritional quality. However, this doesn't automatically mean that after this date the oil becomes hazardous to health.

According to studies conducted by the University of Perugia, EVO oil can be safely consumed even beyond this date, provided it has been stored correctly.

What Happens After the Expiration Date?


Once the recommended date has passed, EVO oil tends to slowly lose some of its original characteristics:

  • Reduction of antioxidant properties

  • Decrease in the intensity of aroma and taste

  • Slight alteration of nutritional properties


However, if stored properly, the oil remains safe to consume for several months after the indicated date.

Extra virgin olive oil flowing from a stainless steel pressing plant | Frantoio D'Orazio

How to Know if an Expired Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Safe


Here are some helpful signs to determine if you can still use your oil:

  • Smell and taste : If you don't notice any fresh odors or unpleasant flavors, it's still edible.

  • Visual appearance : Quality extra virgin olive oil must not have an orange-like colour.

  • Texture : A slimy or unusual texture may indicate advanced spoilage.


Risks and Precautions


Using expired extra virgin olive oil, while not directly dangerous, could reduce the quality of your culinary creations. Furthermore, very old or poorly stored oil may contain traces of aldehydes or peroxides, potentially harmful compounds. Therefore:

  • Always use common sense: if the oil has an unusual taste or smell, avoid consuming it.

  • Limit the use of expired EVO oil to non-food preparations (cleaning, furniture polishing, etc.).


How Frantoio D'Orazio Guarantees Quality Over Time


At Frantoio D'Orazio, we are committed to ensuring our oil remains as fresh as possible over time, thanks to the use of innovative technologies. We use opaque containers and tinplate cans to protect it from light, and we inject nitrogen into both the tanks and the bottles and cans to eliminate oxygen, the main culprit in the oxidation process. These practices significantly slow the natural aging of the oil.

Want to always have fresh, high-quality EVOO on hand? Visit our online shop and choose the perfect extra virgin olive oil for you!