Our History

After our visit to Greece in 2011, Athan began studying the olive oil of his youth. He found the research of Drs. Magiatis and Melliou at the University of Athens and travelled to Northern Greece to hear the first presentation of the health benefits of High Phenolic EVOO. [1]

Athan was so inspired by what he learned that he began following olive oil news on Olive Oil Times and became a contributing writer sharing the research of Dr. Magiatis and team, but also challenging the status quo and the agencies that were blocking the acceptance of the Health Claim. [2]

In the depths of the economic crisis, where all funding had dried up, Artemis Alliance invested in the Magiatis/Melliou method of testing olive oil in the mill. It became the Aristoleo Test Kit, known as a “Lab in a Vial” and would go on to win 1st Prize in Greece Innovates.

Aristoleo is incorporated to produce the Aristoleo Test Kit, the “Lab in a Vial”, which wins first prize at Greece Innovates. Producers were reluctant to change methods to raise phenolic levels because there was no market yet, so we began in earnest to share the news far and wide to build awareness.

An annual international competition exclusively for High Phenolic Olive Oil and Table Olives.

2016 The Hellenic Miracle – Ancient roots of “Medicinal” olive oil
2017 Tasted Tested and True – Standards of testing – qNMR, LC-MS/MS
2018 Beyond Organic, Beyond Extra Virgin – Impact of Permaculture
2019 Food as Medicine – Athan shares his personal story.
2020 Age of Transparency – Serving informed health-aware individuals
2021 The Phenolic Effect – The power a daily regimen of olive oil
2022 Age of Clarity – Introducing Aristoleo-DataLok and Retail Cooler
2023 Polyphenols – Key to Health and Long Life
2024 Health Claim – Celebrating 12 Year
2025 Tenth Anniversary – Announced Aristoleo Certification
2026 CoolChain™ – 3rd Criteria for Aristoleo Certification

2016–2019

ARISTOIL was an EU-funded, 3-year, 5-country study into best practices for producing and marketing high phenolic EVOO, covering cultivation, harvesting, transportation, milling and storage at 12.5–15°C.

Aristoleo was a full partner.

During the programme, qNMR was verified against the LC-MS/MS method behind the EU health claim.

In the interests of raising awareness for High Phenolic EVOO; health benefits, latest clinical research, and what to look for in buying this exceptional olive oil, BOBEV was created on the Medium platform to meet the growing demand for real information and a trusted source.

ARISTOIL introduced High Phenolic EVOO brands at the SIAL Food Expo in Paris, to differential this olive oil as a nutraceutical rather than culinary olive oil. It’s a challenge for producers to find the market and a challenge for health-aware individuals to find trustworthy sources.

Athan Gadanidis presents the case on health-claim labelling and measurement to the European Commission. Its answer: LC-MS/MS as the original method for the health claim, and qNMR as verified by the ARISTOIL study.

Athan presents the Aristoleo Retail Cooler and DataLok track and trace at Circle the Med, following ARISTOIL’s finding that phenolic content deteriorates quickly unless kept between 12.5–15°C (54–59°F).

The first Aristoleo Cooler is installed in Athens and the second in Manassas, Virginia.

Continuing with the mandate to ensure transparency and accuracy on behalf of health-aware individuals, some dealing with life threatening illness, Aristoleo Certification was created to recognize producers and facilities that follow best practices – most importantly, climate controlled storage between 12.5-15°C or 54-59°F.

High Phenolic EVOO is a nutraceutical with health and wellness properties. The demographic for health-aware individuals is specific and clear. This olive oil does not belong on a retail shelf under the lights and in the fluctuating temperatures of a large store. This study defines the new parameters so that producers have a map and customers are served.

As a special request for Women in Olive Oil, Marilyn designed a webinar that is evolving into an online marketing course for Extra Virgin Olive Oil producers with a special section on High Phenolic EVOO. Project in Progress…

Research has shown that there is a half life of phenolic compounds in the bloodstream and that a steady level is optimal when using HP EVOO for health related challenges. In addition, research has shown that the higher the concentration of active biophenols, the more effective it is.

Aristoleo+ and AristoleoPet+ offer on-the-go convenience and easily measured doses in two phenolic ranges for yourselves and your beloved pets.