BRUSSELS, May 18 (UPI) -- The European Commission is changing its rules on olive oil served in restaurants to safeguard the consumer, a spokesman said.
"We are just making it clear that when you want to have olive oil of a certain quality in a restaurant, you get exactly the one you are paying for," said commission spokesman Oliver Bailly
The olive oil market is subject to widespread fraud with cheaper grades of oil mislabeled and sold as a top shelf grade.
The new rules call for correct labeling with olive oil sold only in tamper-proof packaging. Refillable bottles and dipping bowls will be banned, the BBC reported Saturday.
Some are criticizing the new requirement as an added burden for restaurants during a recession, the BBC said.
"This will affect us. It is about choice and freedom of choice," said London restaurateur Sam Clark.
