Pantaleo crowned for quality and wellbeing at the London IOOC 2025
A rich haul for Pantaleo’s extra-virgin olive oils in London: three Golds (two awarded to IGP Olio di Puglia in the Quality and Health Claim categories) and three Silvers.
May 2025 will go down as a milestone month for Olio Pantaleo. The 2025 edition of the London International Olive Oil Competition ended with a remarkable result that reinforces the international prestige of our brand: six awards in total, including two Gold Awards for IGP Olio di Puglia in both the Quality category and the prestigious Health Claim category, which focuses on the beneficial properties of extra-virgin olive oils rich in phenolic compounds.
The London IOOC is one of the most comprehensive and respected international competitions dedicated to extra-virgin olive oil. Part of the Global Olive Oil Stars platform, it is structured into four categories, the most prominent being the Quality Competition and the Health Claim Competition. The latter, in particular, is now considered one of the most scientifically grounded and strategically significant categories for producers like Pantaleo, who are committed to combining flavour with wellbeing.
IGP Olio di Puglia shines in the Health Claim category
The Health Claim Competition is notable for its rigorous, multidisciplinary approach. Its goal is to spotlight EVOOs with a high phenolic content, i.e. with significant concentrations of compounds such as oleocanthal, oleacein, and the aglycones of oleuropein and ligstroside. These bioactive compounds are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardioprotective properties, as recognised by European Regulation 432/2012.
Our IGP Olio di Puglia earned a highly prestigious award in this category thanks to its perfect balance between phenolic content and organoleptic quality. The evaluation is based on two parameters: chemical analysis, which accounts for 70% of the final score, and sensory assessment (blind tasting) by expert judges, contributing the remaining 30%.
The results confirm that Pantaleo’s IGP Olio di Puglia not only has exceptional flavour, but is a valuable ally for a healthy diet, one that retains its beneficial properties even months after production. A victory that reflects the value of a carefully monitored supply chain rooted in Puglia, from variety selection to cold pressing using state-of-the-art technologies.
Excellence in flavour: five more prizes in the Quality Competition
Alongside its success in the health category, Pantaleo also confirmed its leadership in the Quality Competition, which rewards overall product quality based on sensory, technical, and cultivation criteria. The aim of the competition is to encourage producers to continually raise their standards and to communicate the sensory and nutritional characteristics of their oils effectively. Of particular note is the Gold Award given to Oronovo: a premium reference despite being of EU origin. This is clear proof that outstanding quality and fair pricing can be combined through the careful selection of the finest olive oils, even beyond national borders.
Here is the full list of awards received:
Health Claim
- Gold Award – IGP Olio di Puglia, for its perfect balance between phenolic content and sensory quality.
Quality Competition
- Gold Award – IGP Olio di Puglia, for its outstanding taste and aroma profile.
- Gold Award – Oronovo, a blend praised for its elegance, balance, and complexity.
- Silver Award – Biologico, our certified organic EVOO, a symbol of respect for both health and the environment.
- Silver Award – Selezione Oro, a refined and harmonious blend created for gourmet kitchens.
- Silver Award – 100% Italiano, celebrating the very best of our national olive-growing tradition.
A competition looking to the future of olive oil
The London IOOC is not merely a contest between top producers. It’s also a strategic showcase for the future of the industry. With the involvement of culinary schools, chefs, restaurateurs, and even young consumers, the event aims to educate the public on the value of EVOO and promote greater awareness of the varietal and nutritional differences among oils.
In this context, Pantaleo’s awards are not just accolades, but also a fresh starting point for reinforcing our mission: to produce superior-quality oils that are both delicious and nutritionally valuable, and that serve as ambassadors of Made in Italy around the world.
With six prizes won at the London IOOC 2025, Pantaleo has further cemented its standing as a key international player in the world of extra-virgin olive oil. The Gold Award for IGP Olio di Puglia in the Health Claim category is especially meaningful, as it confirms the value of the choices made in agriculture, technology, and commercial strategy. These decisions have made Pantaleo oils not only exceptional condiments, but also essential ingredients for a healthy Mediterranean diet.