As More Israelis Choose Pure Olive Oil To Light The Menorah, Counterfeiters See An Opportunity

Observant Israelis increasingly like to use olive oil in their menorahs instead of wax candles because of its significance in the Chanukah story.

Those who follow suit want only 100% pure olive oil to use in their menorahs — and that has become more expensive in Israel over time because of tariffs on imports and the rising demand.

In response, JTA reports, some producers are diluting their olive oil with cheaper vegetable oils without disclosing all of the ingredients and lure consumers in with lower prices.

“[T]he temptation to deceive customers is tremendous,” Rabbi Moshe Biegel, an expert on Israel’s kosher certification industry, said.

Israeli authorities perform inspections on dozens of brands each year around Chanukah and often find oil advertised as pure to contain up to 50% canola or soy. But despite fines and the naming of offenders online, the phenomenon persists.

In recent years, local producers have profited from growing demand for olive oil generally and a preference for Israeli brands specifically, said Ashkenazi, who runs her olive oil factory in the northern Negev with her partner, Moosh.

{Matzav.com Israel}