The Spanish Embassy in Dublin has appealed to Irish consumers not to stop buying olive oils, following last week's health alert over olive pomace oil.
The low-grade oil, used mainly in the catering industry, accounts for less than 4 per cent of total Spanish exports of olive oil products.
The European Commission issued a warning last week after the product was withdrawn from the Spanish market following detection of excessive levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
These toxins can pose serious health risks in cases of long-term exposure. However, a Spanish Embassy spokesman said the contamination, produced by subjecting olive pomace paste to a combustion process, could not affect other types of olive oils.
He added the ban on olive pomace oil was a temporary measure. "The aim is to ensure that from now on, olive pomace oil is obtained through processes that prevent this type of contamination."
He said Spanish producers had already delivered an industrial process that guaranteed the absence of toxins in pomace oil. This method will be employed in the manufacture of all new pomace oil coming to the market.
Irish passengers travelling to Spain with Iberian Airlines could have their trip disrupted if a series of one-day strikes by pilots at the company continues.
None of the company's Dublin flights were affected by a stoppage yesterday. However, a company spokesman said it could not guarantee an interrupted Irish service if further planned action went ahead.