MySQL can't use "LOAD DATA INFILE", secure-file-priv option is preventing execution.

I am trying to run a simple code to mysql db but it’s preventing me to do so. The code is tested on my xampp environment and it works.

the code that i am trying to use is this:

LOAD DATA INFILE '/var/www/laravelapp/storage/app/file.txt' 
INTO TABLE test
FIELDS TERMINATED BY '|';

the error that I get is: ERROR 1290 (HY000): The MySQL server is running with the --secure-file-priv option so it cannot execute this statement

I have searched for a fix and a lot of people recommend to add secure-file-priv = "" to my.cnf file under the mysqld config group

But I know that i am missing smth because I have added the configuration line at my.cnf file restarted mysql server with the commands:

service mysql restart
or 
service mysql stop
service mysql start
or 
/etc/init.d/mysql restart

This is part of my.cnf file:

# This was formally known as [safe_mysqld]. Both versions are currently parsed.
[mysqld_safe]
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
nice            = 0

[mysqld]
#
# * Basic Settings
#
secure-file-priv = ""
user            = mysql
pid-file        = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.pid
socket          = /var/run/mysqld/mysqld.sock
port            = 3306
basedir         = /usr
datadir         = /var/lib/mysql
tmpdir          = /tmp
lc-messages-dir = /usr/share/mysql
skip-external-locking
#
# Instead of skip-networking the default is now to listen only on
# localhost which is more compatible and is not less secure.
bind-address            = 127.0.0.1
#
# * Fine Tuning

Also tried to add it at the end of the file, in other parts, or to change the syntax:

secure-file-priv = " "
secure_file_priv = ""
secure_file_priv = " "

but still without success.

Pls any idea how can I run:

LOAD DATA INFILE