Dr. Oz sued for sliming olive oil’s reputation
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Dr. Mehmet Oz told his viewers that most of the imported extra virgin olive oil in their supermarkets may be fake, and the trade group representing olive oil importers is calling his claim phony.
According to media reports, the Neptune, New Jersey-based North American Olive Oil Association is suing the television personality and health guru, and his production companies, for libel after his May 12 episode entitled "Food Truth: What's Really in Your Pancake Syrup?”
On the show, Dr. Oz claimed that 80% of the extra virgin oil sold in U.S. supermarkets "isn't the real deal" and "may even be fake," claims the organization is calling untrue in its lawsuit, filed Tuesday in a state court in Fulton County, Georgia, according to media reports.
Georgia is a state with looser libel laws that make it easier for food companies to sue people who disparage their products. Some of the members of the olive oil trade group conduct business there, according to media reports.
Named in the lawsuit are Dr. Oz, Entertainment Media Ventures Inc. and ZoCo Productions L.L.C., the business entities that promote and produce the health show. The olive oil trade group is seeking an unspecified amount in damages and payment for the group's legal fees.
