Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need
to know about
the Indlab Index
We answer the most common questions about how the index works and how it can help you.
If you cannot find the answer you are looking for, please contact us and we will assist you personally.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Select your profile to see the most relevant questions.
Producer
How can I use your index to prove that my oil is better than that of other producers?
If your Indlab index is higher, your oil is better. It is as simple as that.
Does the index take agronomic factors into account or only the final result of the oil?
Currently, factors outside of laboratory analysis are in the study phase for inclusion. The Indlab index is a living element in constant evolution that considers more than 10 factors for its determination.
Does it help me justify a higher price to buyers?
Of course! Especially if the market timing is favorable. Having a high Indlab index compared to the reference value positions your oils as higher quality and, therefore, likely to receive better price quotes. It is that quick and simple.
Can I use this value in labeling or marketing?
Certainly! The Indlab index was created so that anyone, expert or not, can know how good an oil is and which one is better at a single glance. Would you like your Indlab index to appear on your labels? Contact us.
How exactly is the index calculated and what parameters does it include?
The Indlab index considers more than 10 analytical factors and is compared and contrasted against several thousand analyses of other present and past samples. It allows you to stop worrying about data interpretation and focus on your business and the defense of your bottled and bulk products.
If I analyze the Indlab index, must I also analyze the parameters required by inspection?
For now, the Indlab index serves the markets, not the inspectors. In that case, you can opt for the other tests offered by the laboratory. If you are concerned about duplicating tests or increasing costs, let’s talk.
Does it help me detect at which part of the process I am losing quality?
The Indlab index is a market value that considers countless data points. By itself, it does not point out the specific points in the process where you are losing quality, but it is a clear indicator of that loss. Contact us and we will help you improve your oils.
How do I compare my result with the market average?
The Indlab index is a recently created market value. Once it is established, you will be able to check your result against the reference value that we will publish on the homepage of our website. Based on its position relative to the reference value, you will quickly know if it is better or worse than the rest.
Is the cost of the analysis affordable for a small or medium-sized oil mill?
If your profit lies in the sales margin and in taking advantage of commercial opportunities, the investment in the Indlab index is minimal compared to the return you will obtain. The Indlab index ensures quick negotiations and frees you to find the buyer who will pay the best price for your oil.
Packer
Does the index allow for the comparison of batches from different producers using homogeneous criteria to create blends?
Yes, that is one of its main virtues. It minimizes the time required for study, calculation, and verification analysis.
Can I integrate the index into my internal quality control processes or my technical data sheets?
Of course.
Does the index help me maintain consistency between batches from one harvest season to the next?
Yes. The index is designed so that you can track your progress and maintain, for example, the homogeneity of your oils.
Can I use it to optimize my blends?
It is designed to facilitate decision-making. The creation of blends will be strengthened by the application of the Indlab index.
How is this data integrated into my current quality controls?
It is the value that will allow you to stop processing so much data and focus on decision-making. The Indlab index reduces to seconds what used to be hours of work.
Does it replace or complement tasting panels?
The Indlab index complements the tasting panel but does not have a categorization function. It allows for the differentiation of oils that, according to the tasting panel, would both be classified as extra virgin, but which may present different values within the Indlab index.
Can I set an internal standard based on your scale?
With the Indlab index, you will be able to create quality segments much more easily than before and, above all, they will be simpler to communicate to your potential buyers.
Does it serve to audit my suppliers?
The Indlab index is a market value. You can set a specific value so that your suppliers meet your quality requirements.
How does it affect my operating costs?
The impact is very small because it adds a minimal additional cost, but the value provided is much greater, given that the benefits to be obtained from selling an oil categorized with a high value are far superior to the small cost of the Indlab index.
Distributor
How does it help me reduce purchasing risk?
It will help you set a minimum quality limit for your suppliers. By not depending on a single factor, such as fruitiness intensity, but on many, you will obtain more consistent and homogeneous oils.
Can I compare oils from different suppliers with this index?
Of course. That is its purpose: so that you can choose the oil that best fits your market in a quick and simple way.
Is the index value comparable between oils from different harvest seasons?
The method for calculating the Indlab index does not change. Only the oil changes. An oil from the previous harvest, analyzed in the current one, will obtain a lower Indlab index than it would have obtained immediately after extraction. However, comparing values from different seasons can help us understand the evolution of quality.
Is the index independent or can it be biased?
The Indlab index is based primarily on quantifiable factors obtained from objective analyses. The organoleptic part uses a method that ensures the absence of bias in the tasting panel. The index integrates multiple variables and has been developed to be understandable and acceptable to all parties involved.
Does it allow me to better negotiate prices with suppliers?
Certainly. Everything will depend on the market timing, but knowing what value you want will allow you to choose the one with a price best suited to your interests.
How do I interpret small differences between values?
When one oil has a different rating than another, even if the difference is small, it simply means that oil is slightly better or worse than the one it is being compared to.
Are there ranges or categories within the index?
Currently, no. The idea is to eliminate complexity by reducing it to a numerical value.
Does it help me predict market acceptance?
Certainly. Used correctly, it can serve to test the market and choose those oils that fit the tastes and characteristics of customers.
Can I use it as a standard criterion for purchases?
You should. Once you determine the Indlab index you want to offer your audience, you will need your suppliers to provide oils adjusted to that value.
Can I receive the analysis quickly enough so that it does not slow down my operations?
Of course. Assuming that your suppliers will be the ones providing you with the Indlab index for their oils, you can have results in short and fully operational timeframes during your regular controls.
What guarantees do I have regarding the independence and objectivity of the laboratory?
More than 25 years of dedication to the sector have led us to be recognized by all parties as a reference laboratory. We hold ENAC accreditation and recognition from the IOC and the Ministry of Agriculture. Indlab has computerized auditing systems that ensure the integrity of the sample from entry to the issuance of the report.
Do you have a question that does not appear here? Write to us and we will answer it personally.
The index in figures
Why trust the Indlab Index
+25
years analyzing olive oil
1
unique and objective value per sample
100%
scientific, specific, and specialized
Do you have more questions?
Contact our team and we will help you resolve any doubts about the Indlab Index.