Indian Olive Association, established to promote, protect and safeguard the interests of the olive and olive oil industry, elects new members in its Executive Council. During its Annual General Meeting held today, the ex-members of the council retired and new elections took place for the offices of the President and Vice President. In its new Executive Council, Neelima Burra – Country Head, Olive Oil and CMO of Cargill Foods India has been elected as the new President. She was earlier operating as the Vice President of IOA and has replaced Rajneesh Bhasin, M.D. Borges India, as the President of the association. Rahul Upadhyay, CEO, Rian Imports & Marketing, has been elected as the new Vice President.

Neelima Burra said during the occasion, “I am glad to be elected as the President of this prestigious organization. In my new role, my endeavor will be to work towards taking the efforts of the association to the next level to popularize the health and wellness benefits of Olives and Olive Oil in the country. I envision to steer the energies of the association towards making olive category a part of the monthly purchase of the Indian households.”

Rahul Upadhyay, CEO, Rian Imports & Marketing mentioned, “As the elected Vice President of this association, I will continue my efforts to increase awareness about olives and olive oil. I look forward to working with the association in its continuous endeavors in promoting and safeguarding the olive oil and its related categories.”

Mr. V.N. Dalmia who has been the brain behind the founding of ‘India Olive Association’, continues to remain the Founder President to provide his guidance to the growth and development of this association.
About Indian Olive Association

The Indian Olive Association (IOA) was established in 2007 to promote, protect and safeguard the interests of the olive and olive oil industry in India. It is the national apex association of olive and olive oil producers, growers, distributors, importers, users and consumers. The association aims to promote the consumption of olives and olive oil and expanding the market. It also represents the industry before the Government, circulating information and statistics to members and obtaining the removal of grievances affecting the industry. Another outlook of this association is to increase awareness about olives and olive oil amongst the general population and to effectively promote their consumption through publicity on their nutritional and health benefits, unique taste characteristics and versatility. IOA also actively works towards introducing standardization in the industry and market, establishing procedures to assure accurate labelling for the various grades and types of olives and olive oil and lay down quality standards and encourage their adoption.