Hi All, some big news from Washington D.C., and it’s something we all should be paying attention to:
If Americans increased their olive oil consumption by just 20%, it could save the U.S. healthcare system up to $20 billion every year.
Yep. That’s billion - with a B.
This stat came out of a major event called “Drops of Health: Olive Oil in the United States,” organized by the Olive Oil World Congress (OOWC), along with groups like the North American Olive Oil Association (NAOOA), the Mediterranean Diet Foundation, Food Tank, and more. Their goal? Educate U.S. policymakers and health leaders about the real, proven benefits of extra virgin olive oil.
We already know EVOO is at the heart of the Mediterranean diet. But what’s incredible is that science is finally catching up - and confirming that even modest increases in consumption could have massive public health payoffs.
Key Highlights from the Event:
- Americans consumed 368,000 tons of olive oil in 2024, up 32% since 2013. That’s progress.
- But here’s the kicker: only 3% of it is produced locally. The rest is imported. We’ve got room to grow.
- According to Joseph Profaci of the NAOOA, boosting EVOO consumption by just 20% - along with a shift toward the Mediterranean diet - could save $20 billion annually in healthcare costs.
- That’s thanks to olive oil’s ability to help fight heart disease, inflammation, obesity, dementia, and even cancer.
- Dr. Mike Cirigliano, a professor and medical contributor, summed it up: “EVOO is not a fad. It’s medicine in your pantry.”
We also heard from producers and experts like Samantha Dorsey (McEvoy Ranch), Mouna Aissaoui (Pompeian), and Paolo Colavita, who all agreed: the U.S. needs to grow more of its own high-quality olive oil, make it more accessible, and educate people on why it matters.
Even chef Amy Riolo showed off how versatile EVOO really is - not just for cooking, but in desserts, dressings, and even cocktails. (I’ll raise a glass to that.)
Why This Matters (And What We Can Do)
Most Americans still don’t know what real extra virgin olive oil is - or how to use it daily. That’s the real opportunity here.
If we can raise awareness, push for transparency, and steer people away from fake or low-grade oils, we’re not just helping farmers or foodies - we’re helping public health. This is where education meets activism.
And guess what? We don’t have to wait for the FDA to fix things.
We can start by:
- Choosing real, fresh, traceable EVOO.
- Helping others learn how to spot the fakes.
- Supporting producers who do it right — both local and abroad.
The science is clear. The stakes are high.
It’s not about chasing trends - it’s about taking care of ourselves and each other.
Let’s spread the word.
Luca
Tags:
tag:health-benefits tag:olive-oil-science tag:mediterranean-diet tag:evoo-education tag:public-health tag:naooa tag:oowc tag:fake-vs-real tag:us-consumption tag:climate-of-health