The most crucial and telling thing to look for on the label of oil is a family name, not only a company name. This applies for not only olive oil. The family name shows that someone is not only putting their reputation on the line for what they have produced but is also personally taking legal responsibility for the bottles contents. The family’s address and contact information should also be included on the label. Other important details to look for include a best before date, the production’s lot number and the types of olives (cultivar) that are used in the oils production.

The most telling sign of all though is to TASTE the oil. You should taste fruitiness, bitterness and pepperiness.