- More than 60 organisations from 18 countries, including universities, research centres, farmers’ organisations, industry associations, sector bodies and two ministries, have already signed the Lisbon Manifesto, launched following the Olive Oil World Congress 2026
- The document brings together the scientific consensus on the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and seeks to carry this evidence into public policy and society at large, with an international scope
This Manifesto brings together the scientific consensus on the benefits of extra virgin olive oil for human health and calls on governments, international organisations and healthcare systems to integrate EVOO into their public health strategies for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases.
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) holds a central place in the Mediterranean diet, one of the dietary patterns with the strongest scientific support for the prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases. The PREDIMED study linked a Mediterranean diet enriched with EVOO to a reduction of approximately 30% in the risk of heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular death. In addition, EFSA recognises that olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of LDL cholesterol from oxidative damage.
This evidence is complemented by its characteristic phenolic compounds, such as oleocanthal and oleacein, which have been studied for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research has also linked EVOO consumption to a lower risk of certain types of cancer and type 2 diabetes, and points to a potential neuroprotective effect, always within a balanced diet and in line with recommended fat intake.
These are some of the health benefits set out in the Lisbon Manifesto, “Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Scientific Evidence for Global Health”. The document calls for EVOO to be given a preferred place among the sources of fat in a balanced diet, in line with the available scientific evidence.
Launched following the Olive Oil World Congress 2026, the Manifesto has already been endorsed by more than 60 organisations from 18 countries across four continents. A new phase is now beginning: moving from evidence to commitment, and from commitment to action, so that scientific knowledge about EVOO carries greater weight in health and food-related decisions and policies.
The signatories include universities and research centres, institutions specialising in nutrition and health, farmers’ organisations, industry associations and other bodies linked to the olive oil sector from Spain, Italy, Portugal, Brazil, Croatia and Tunisia, as well as government representatives from Algeria and Pakistan.
Although most come from the Mediterranean basin, support also extends to Germany, the Netherlands, the United States and Iran. This reflects the international character of an initiative that seeks to position EVOO as a food of relevance to health beyond the countries traditionally associated with its production and consumption.
According to Raúl Compés, Chair of the Organising Committee of the Olive Oil World Congress, “the Lisbon Manifesto is a milestone in the history of collaboration between science, institutions and businesses in the agrifood system. The scientific consensus on the beneficial properties of EVOO for human health and nutrition is the foundation on which private strategies and public policies in this sector should be built. Building on this shared evidence, the outlook for olive oil production worldwide receives a major boost.”
From manifesto to action
The signatories are committed to taking the document to the national level: each organisation will present it to its government, its health system and the relevant authorities in its country, as well as to international bodies, with the aim of promoting a coordinated position across the territories represented.
As the promotor of the initiative, the Olive Oil World Congress will formally submit the Manifesto to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The Manifesto calls on these bodies to officially recognise EVOO as a functional food of importance for global public health. The signatories also champion the Mediterranean diet as a healthy, sustainable and accessible dietary model.
This institutional commitment also translates into concrete actions. In the area of food policy, member organisations will advocate for the revision of national and international dietary guidelines to include specific, quantified recommendations for EVOO consumption, always within total fat intake limits. They will also work with public authorities to promote its presence in hospitals, care homes, school canteens and primary care centres.
In research and training, they will push for greater funding for high-quality studies on neuroprotection, cancer prevention, metabolic health and healthy longevity, as well as training for doctors, nurses, dietitians, nutritionists and pharmacists on the benefits of EVOO and the quality criteria on which those benefits depend.
The action likewise extends to quality and information. The signatories will support control, authenticity and traceability mechanisms to ensure that the oil retains its bioactive compounds, with particular attention to polyphenol content. They will promote rigorous, evidence-based communication, including polyphenol information on labelling. In addition, they will present EVOO as a “fat of choice” that can be adapted to any culinary tradition and will help combat misinformation about dietary fats. Finally, the document provides for stronger cooperation between research centres, universities and public health bodies, as well as among the signatory organisations themselves.
The Lisbon Manifesto remains open to new endorsements and can be consulted at this link. The second edition of the Olive Oil World Congress thus leaves behind a shared roadmap to strengthen the role of EVOO in food and health policy.
Fonte: OOWC
