Virgin oils – a quality guarantee

First press, cold press, virgin, pure, extra-pure, organic ... as many pure oil varieties as there are consumer habits whether for salad seasoning or pre-cooked dishes.

More than a simple condiment, virgin oil is a true nutritional supplement providing essential nutriments for the body: Lipids.

The processing of organic oils and virgin oils to a lesser extent requires use of a dedicated production line.

Filling process

Olive oil filling in glass bottles

A certain number of precautions must be taken, in particular in terms of cleanliness of containers and filling systems.

Plastic containers  are rarely used for virgin oil due to the container/content migration phenomenon. 

Finally, to avoid any risk of auto-oxidation caused by light, the use of coloured bottles is preferred. 

In order to retain its full flavour and nutritional qualities, the virgin oils are kept away from direct sunlight, heat and humidity before opening. 

The ideal solution is therefore to fill them into glass bottles.

Choosing a filling system

• In the case of PET containers with a volume of less than 2 litres, neck-transfer filling machines are preferred as they offer greater versatility in terms of format change.

• For all other container types, base-transfer filling machines are used.  

Production process

Virgin oil is obtained from a cold press and the full name is virgin oil from a first cold press without additives.

• Clean the fruits or grains to eliminate all impurities (which may affect the taste).
• Some grains are particularly shelled such as sunflower seeds.
• Some fruits must be steam heated (sweet corn, grape seeds) at 50°C maximum.
• They are then pressed in a screw press which is turned very slowly in order to avoid mechanical heating of the oil.
• Centrifugal force is used for oleaginous products.
• Clarification by decantation at a low temperature and filtration (with blotting paper or vegetable fiber).

This production process enables conservation of the nutriments (vitamins, oméga-3, oméga-6, ...) and give the oil its pronounced flavour and colour. Virgin oil is always pure, without mixing of the raw materials or the finished products.