Gut health scientist issues alert to anyone buying olive oil from the supermarket

An expert has shared three key things to look for on olive oil labels to ensure you’re getting the genuine stuff

Nicola Roy Spare Time writer

05:00, 21 Feb 2026

If you want the best quality olive oil, there are a few things on the label you must check(Image: sergeyryzhov via Getty Images)

High-quality olive oil can have so many benefits for your health, forming a key part of the popular Mediterranean diet. The extra virgin type especially is brimming with potential health perks – it contains healthy monounsaturated fats which may help fight inflammation and oxidative stress, according to Healthline.

It’s also loaded with vitamins, with a single tablespoon providing an excellent dose of vitamins K and E. But when you’re browsing the aisles of your supermarket looking to grab a bottle, you’re often faced with loads of different options, making it hard to decide what’s actually good.

Luckily, a gut health expert has revealed one crucial error you must avoid when purchasing olive oil – and that’s forgetting to check the label, reports the Express.

Olive oil is a key part of the Mediterranean diet(Image: Getty)

Clinical physiologist, TikToker and gut health scientist Jordan Haworth, also known as Mr Gut Health, who has been documenting his Mediterranean diet experience for years, has shared the best way for shoppers to spot authentic olive oil on shop shelves.

He suggests there are three essential factors to consider when choosing genuine olive oil – with the first being the most important.

The expert stated: “If it says extra virgin, then it’s pretty much guaranteed.”

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Extra virgin means it’s unrefined, preserving more of its natural flavour, vitamins and minerals, while also being produced without heat or chemicals.

The second factor worth checking is the olive oil’s country of origin, which should be prominently displayed on the label. Holding up a bottle of the Filippo Berio variety, he explained: “Some EVOO [extra virgin olive oils], like this one, uses olives from different countries.

“Whilst oil from the one country might be better for traceability, using olives from different countries is fine.”

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The third and final consideration involves a crucial sentence – typically located on the rear of the bottle – which reveals everything you need to know about the production process.

Turning the bottle round and reading the label, the expert noted: “Superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means.

“This ensures that the oil has been extracted properly to preserve its nutrients. And FYI [for your information], you can cook with EVOO, and it’s much healthier to use than butter or tallow.”