ZRS Koper among the signatories of the Lisbon Manifesto on extra virgin olive oil and health

The Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper) is among the signatories of the Lisbon Manifesto “Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Scientific Evidence for Global Health”, an international initiative bringing together scientific institutions, research centres, professional and sectoral associations, and other organisations with the aim of strengthening the role of extra virgin olive oil in nutrition and public health policies.

The Lisbon Manifesto brings together scientific evidence on the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil and calls on governments, international organisations and healthcare systems to integrate the available scientific evidence more extensively into strategies for the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases.

The Manifesto was developed following this year’s Olive Oil World Congress 2026, held in Lisbon in July. To date, it has been endorsed by more than 60 organisations from 18 countries across four continents, including universities, research centres, producer organisations, professional and business associations, and representatives of public institutions.

At the heart of the Manifesto is extra virgin olive oil as an important component of the Mediterranean diet. Among other things, the document highlights research findings linking the consumption of a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. It also places particular emphasis on the importance of polyphenols in olive oil and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Among the key steps for the future, the Manifesto highlights the inclusion of more specific recommendations on the consumption of extra virgin olive oil in dietary guidelines, its greater presence in public institutions, additional funding for high-quality research, and the education of healthcare professionals about its benefits and quality criteria. Particular attention is also given to ensuring the authenticity and traceability of olive oil and to professional communication based on scientific evidence.

By signing the Manifesto, ZRS Koper joins an international network bringing together science, professional expertise and institutions to raise awareness of the importance of high-quality extra virgin olive oil and to support the transfer of scientific knowledge into practice and public policy.

The Lisbon Manifesto remains open to new signatories, with the ambition of establishing a common international framework for further strengthening the role of extra virgin olive oil in nutrition and health.

The Lisbon Manifesto is available here: Lisbon_Manifesto_OOWC_2026.pdf