Sorry, but that's tin foil hat territory. Everyday I trust my bank to handle my money fairly, the gas station to give the right amount of gas, the labels on food and medicine to be accurate, the weather report, etc. etc. I am sure there are problems with virtually every institution that need to be addressed. But I am surrounded by reliable information and trusted actors.
You can totally inspect your olive oil yourself. First a primer: Extra virgin olive oil is the highest grade. This is unregulated and mostly nonexistent in most US grocery shelves.
Here's the criteria I recommend:
- Source. Most Italian olive oil is repackaged Tunisian, Turkish, Spanish olive oil. Which isn't a bad thing but consider why they're not consuming it themselves (Italy and Greece do not produce enough to meet domestic demand). You'll see this by abbrvs like Source: "TN SP TK" (Tunisia, Spain, Turkey). Look for single source oils. Consider Californian oil (if in the US). A country does not produce better olive oil than another, it's all up to individual producers. Some of the best oils I've had are from Australia, California, Chile
- Smell! Does it smell like wax/waxy crayons/Crayola? It's probably a bit rancid/old. Not necessarily bad for you but lacks the health benefits (it's not extra virgin at this point if it ever was). It should smell fruity/grassy/green. - Taste: It should be bitter, fresh, and tickle your throat (that's the antioxidants!). It shouldn't leave your mouth feeling greasy.
- Harvest date: Oil degrades quickly. If there isn't a harvest date, it's probably not great. Should be harvested within the last 2 years, ideally within 1 year.
Extra virgin has the maximum taste and health benefits. Most grocery store oils are simply olive oil - not the highest grade but still significantly better than seed/nut oils.
Source: I'm an olive oil somm
Online is always an option :) The Olive Truck Tuscan blend is a personal favorite: https://bestoliveoils.org/search
The owner is this awesome Turkish dude who drives around California in a mobile olive press and makes oil from olives on the spot!
BUT BUT BUT make sure it's NOT the "global blend" - they got in a lot of trouble in California for trying to pass it as good oil. It's trash. Blends are usually made to maximize profit which minimizes the flavors and benefits of good oil. Look for their oil from California in the glass bottle.
If you're in California, the Bariani brand is affordable and awesome.
Labels on food? For ingredients? Again, sure. But where is the label for "the taste of this product has been engineered to increase your consumption of it. Your health? Ha. Forget about it."
And so on.
You're trusting the sheeps' clothing and are all but ignoring the wolf that hides beneath it.
I’d generalize this further and say we have an underlying economy and society that rewards fraud over what should be happening widespread. It’s happening everywhere and lying seems to be one of the best strategies to success. With competitive pressures increasing, it’s often even worth the risk. This may have always been the case but the population at large seems to be more cognizant of it and taking action on it. Politics, business, everywhere deceit is rampant. It may in some cases be “allowed” forms of lying or skirting around the truth but underlying behavior is the same here: avoiding the truth for one’s own self gain. There’s few if any establishments I trust anymore. I just assume everyone everywhere is lying for their own goals.