Health Ministry issues urgent recall for suspected fake olive oil

Israel’s Health Ministry issued an urgent public warning on Tuesday against buying or consuming olive oil sold under the brand "Tipeh Tehora". Officials said there is a strong suspicion that the product is counterfeit, dangerous, and does not meet the definition of olive oil.

The alert followed a serious complaint received by the ministry after a person who drank the oil was taken to an emergency room with severe food poisoning symptoms. The patient received medical treatment and was discharged a few hours later, but the case triggered alarm among enforcement officials.

After the report, the National Food Service at the Health Ministry launched an urgent investigation. Its findings showed the product was sold and distributed online in clear violation of food-labeling laws. The package lacked legally required details, including the type of oil, its quality grade, the name of the manufacturing plant, and its official address.

The ministry said the buying process itself also raised further suspicions of criminal activity. It stressed that marketing and distributing food without proper labeling is illegal, and urged the public not to buy products from unidentified sources or ones that do not meet standards. The ministry added: "We will continue to examine and identify cases of food fraud such as olive oil counterfeiting. If a violation of Israeli law and standards is found, steps will be taken with all available means, in cooperation with all other bodies responsible for handling such cases."