What the Olive Oil Health Claim on Labels Actually Means

Updated October 2026 · By Andalucian Olives, a UK olive oil business in Lytham St Annes

Quick answer: the only polyphenol health claim olive oil is allowed to make in the UK is that olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. An oil can only use it if it contains at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives per 20 g of oil.

You will see many words on olive oil bottles and websites: "antioxidant-rich", "heart-healthy", "superfood". Most of them are marketing. Health claims on food in the UK are tightly controlled, and only claims on the official register are allowed.

What the claim says

The authorised wording is: olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. In plain English, certain natural compounds in olive oil help protect fats in the blood, such as LDL cholesterol, from being damaged by oxidation.

The condition behind it

An oil can only carry the claim if it contains at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (such as the oleuropein complex and tyrosol) per 20 g of olive oil. The label should also explain that the benefit comes from a daily intake of 20 g of the oil, which is roughly two tablespoons.

Hydroxytyrosol is not the same as total polyphenols

Many oils quote a total polyphenol figure in mg/kg. That number covers a wider group of compounds than the ones the claim is based on. 5 mg per 20 g works out at 250 mg per kg, which is why you often see 250 mg/kg quoted as the threshold, but strictly it applies to hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives rather than to total polyphenols. If a seller uses the claim, it is fair to ask which figure their lab report measures.

What the claim does not say

• It does not say olive oil prevents, treats or cures any disease.

• It does not say more is better: the claim is based on a daily intake of 20 g.

• It does not apply to olive oil in general, only to oils that meet the condition.

How to check a label

• Look for the exact authorised wording, not a paraphrase like "protects your heart".

• Look for the 20 g daily intake statement next to it.

• Check for a harvest year: polyphenol levels fall as oil ages.

• Ask the seller for the lab report if you want to know which compounds were measured.

Frequently asked questions

Is extra virgin olive oil good for you?

Extra virgin olive oil is mostly monounsaturated fat and fits well in a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean way of eating. The polyphenol claim above is the only one that relates specifically to olive oil polyphenols.

Why don't all high polyphenol oils use the claim?

Using it requires a specific lab measurement and exact wording on the label, so some producers simply quote their total polyphenol figure instead.

Our Early Harvest has over 500 mg/kg of total polyphenols and our Master Miller over 400 mg/kg, both with 0.2% acidity.