A survey released on Friday revealed that 1/3 of Italians have decreased their use of extra virgin olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, because of the steep increase in prices.
However, Italian producers are disputing the findings, claiming that the survey's snapshot of consumer sentiment does not present the full picture. They argue that sales of higher-quality Italian extra virgin olive oil have actually increased.
A survey conducted by the independent research institute Piepoli found that consumers have reduced their consumption of extra virgin olive oil by 30% to 50% as supermarket prices have surged from 4 euros to 9 euros per bottle on average.
United Airlines plane rolls off runway in Houston
Following a runway mishap, passengers had to be evacuated from a United Airlines plane that rolled off the runway and became stuck in the grass in Houston on Friday morning.
United Airlines stated that no injuries were reported among the 160 passengers and six crew members. Video footage taken after the landing depicted the plane tilted to one side with one of its wings very near to the ground.
According to a statement from the Houston Airport System, flight 2477 from Memphis, Tennessee had landed at Bush Intercontinental Airport around 8 a.m. and was heading toward a terminal gate when the Boeing 737 Max 8 went off the pavement.
The crew assisted all passengers in safely disembarking after stairs were brought to the plane, as per United Airlines.
