Imported Olive Oil (Trader Giotto's) — OKAY

Munch or Dump rates Imported Olive Oil (Trader Giotto's) by Trader Giotto's OKAY — score 60/90.

A two-ingredient olive oil that's mostly refined, not extra virgin. Clean and simple, but the refined base means fewer of the polyphenols and flavor compounds that make olive oil worth it.

Why this verdict

• Only two ingredients, no additives or emulsifiers
• Majority is REFINED olive oil, not extra virgin, so most polyphenols are stripped
• A small amount of extra virgin oil is blended in for flavor
• Pure fat, calorie-dense, but a reasonable cooking oil

Ingredients (2)

• Refined Olive Oil (moderate) — Olive oil that's been heat- and/or solvent-refined to neutralize flavor and color. Safe to eat, but the processing strips out most of the polyphenols and antioxidants that make olive oil heart-healthy. Listed first, so it's the bulk of the bottle.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (safe) — Cold-pressed, unrefined olive oil rich in monounsaturated fat and polyphenols. The good stuff, but it's the smaller share here, blended in mainly for flavor.

Healthier alternatives

• Figaro Olive Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil