The specific aim of MAC-Oils consists into carry out an activity of individual and comparative assessment of existing data on target oils, through the realization of eight thematic ateliers (one for each target oil) focused on the following scientific topics:

1. Assessment of chemical and physical-chemical properties of oils;


2. Assessment of organoleptic properties of oils and their acceptability by the European consumer;


3. Assessment of extraction, conservation and packaging methods of oils;


4. Assessment of risks/benefits of the consumption of oils on European consumer's health;


5. Oil seeds cultivation: problems and perspectives.

The project aims at stimulating the International Scientific Cooperation through the involvement of Maghreb Countries in which is produced the argan oil extracted from the Argania spinosa, according to the objectives of the Barcelona process.
The choice of underlining, at the European level, a typical product of the Maghreb Regions, is due to the considerationthat the Countries of this area (Morocco, Tunisia, Israel) take part, as well as the Countries of the European Union, to the nutritional enrichment of the Mediterranean diet.

Furthermore, in the respect of the actions proposed by the European Commission in its Communication entitled “A stronger partnership between the European Union and Latin America”, aiming at strengthening the cooperation for the sub-regional integration with the Mercosur, MAC- Oils will encourage the participation of Argentina and Brazil in order either to widen the international scientific cooperation on the quality and food safety topics and to enlarge their participation in the R&D framework programme.

Further aim of the project aims is to foster the active participation of producing SMEs and Associations representative of the target-oils producers. Their contribution will consist in highlighting possible critical and problematic aspects linked to extraction, production, conservation, packaging and marketing of their oils, providing useful hints to researchers in order to elaborate future common projects. MAC-Oils will study production methods with a view to harmonising best practice techniques on high quality and safety level.