Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU)

The Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU) is a Spanish consumer organization that analyzes products and services, provides consumer advice, and advocates for consumer rights. It is currently newsworthy due to its recent analyses and recommendations regarding food products and consumer-related issues. Recent articles highlight OCU's evaluation of supermarket torrijas (a traditional Spanish dessert), supermarket tortillas de patata (Spanish omelets), and olive oil. The OCU identified the best supermarket torrijas and found that most supermarket tortillas de patata failed their taste tests. Critically, they recommended avoiding orujo olive oil due to the presence of potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons exceeding EU recommended levels. These findings are relevant to consumers in Spain as they provide guidance on product quality, potential health risks, and cost-saving measures, such as the impact of VAT reductions on electricity bills. The OCU's work helps consumers make informed decisions and promotes product safety and quality.