The Guardia Civil is warning retailers, restaurateurs and consumers in La Rioja about a contaminated batch of olive oil that may cause diarrhoea.

550 litres of a mixed lot of 1,750 litres of ecological virgin and standard-grade olive oil reported stolen last Thursday, were found in twenty-two 25-litre anti-foaming liquid (Antiespumante 1510) containers on a rubbish dump in Rincón de Soto.

Investigators reported the matter to the National Toxicological Institute in Madrid, who informed that 'Antiespumante 1510' is a food additive, which, if consumed in large quantities, may cause intestinal problems.

1,200 litres of the stolen batch remain untraced and the Guardia Civil is calling on the public to help them with their inquiries.