Gov. Jerry Brown has signed Lois Wolk’s legislation that modifies state law concerning labeling of olive oils.

Wolk, a Davis Democrat, is Benicia’s representative in the state Senate. She also is chairperson of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Olive Oil Production and Emerging Products.

Senate Bill 65 reflects new standards set by the Olive Oil Commission of California, founded by the state’s olive farmers and established by a law Wolk authored in 2013. The commission recommends grading and labeling standards to the California Department of Food and Agriculture and collects samples of olive oil from member producers and tests them for quality, taste and nutrition.

In addition to detailing requirements related to the use of “California” on labels, SB 65 requires that if an olive oil’s label refers to a specific region in California, at least 85 percent of the oil by weight must be from olives grown in that region.

Likewise, if the label has a reference to a specific California estate, then at least 95 percent of the oil by weight must come from olives grown on that estate, the new law requires.

“As California’s olive oil industry continues to grow, it is critical that labels accurately reflect the product consumers are buying,” Wolk said after Brown signed her bill.

“If olive oil uses ‘California’ on the label, then 100 percent of the oil must be from olives grown in California. If a reference is made to a specific region in California, then that’s where the majority of that olive oil should have been grown. There must be truth in labeling.”

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