View source for Biology:Canola oil

{{short description|Oil derived from canola, a low erucic acid cultivar of rapeseed}}
{{wikt | canola | Canola}}
[[File:CanolaBlooms.JPG|thumb|Close-up of canola blooms]]
[[File:Canola Flower.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Canola flower]]
[[File:Canola field.jpg|thumb|right|Blooming canola field in Saskatchewan, Canada.|250x250px]]
'''Canola oil''' is a vegetable oil derived from a variety of [[Biology:Rapeseed|rapeseed]] that is low in [[Chemistry:Erucic acid|erucic acid]], as opposed to [[Chemistry:Colza oil|colza oil]]. There are both edible and industrial forms produced from the seed of any of several [[Biology:Cultivar|cultivar]]s of the plant family [[Biology:Brassicaceae|Brassicaceae]].

According to the Canola Council of Canada, an industry association, the official definition of canola is "Seeds of the genus Brassica (''[[Biology:Brassica napus|Brassica napus]]'', ''[[Biology:Brassica rapa|Brassica rapa]]'', or ''[[Biology:Brassica juncea|Brassica juncea]]'') from which the oil shall contain less than 2% erucic acid in its [[Chemistry:Fatty acid|fatty acid]] profile and the solid component shall contain less than 30 micromoles of any one or any mixture of 3-butenyl glucosinolate, 4-pentenyl glucosinolate, 2-hydroxy-3 butenyl glucosinolate, and 2-hydroxy- 4-pentenyl glucosinolate per gram of air-dry, oil-free solid."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.canolacouncil.org/oil-and-meal/what-is-canola/ |title=What Is Canola? |work=Canola Council of Canada |publisher=Canola Council of Canada |access-date=18 August 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170618102423/http://www.canolacouncil.org/oil-and-meal/what-is-canola/ |archive-date=18 June 2017}}</ref> Canola oil is also used as a source of [[Chemistry:Biodiesel|biodiesel]].

== History ==

=== Origin ===
The name for rapeseed comes from the [[Social:Latin|Latin]] word {{lang|la|rapum}} meaning turnip. [[Biology:Turnip|Turnip]], [[Biology:Rutabaga|rutabaga]] (swede), [[Biology:Cabbage|cabbage]], Brussels sprouts, and [[Biology:Mustard plant|mustard]] are related to rapeseed. Rapeseed belongs to the genus ''[[Biology:Brassica|Brassica]]''. ''Brassica'' oilseed varieties are some of the oldest plants cultivated by humanity, with documentation of its use in India 4,000 years ago, and use in China and Japan 2,000 years ago.<ref name=Snowdon>Snowdon R et al. "Oilseed Rape". Chapter 2 in [https://books.google.com/books?id=wKWulH2TFh4C Genome Mapping and Molecular Breeding in Plants: OIlseeds]. Ed, Chittaranjan Kole. Springer, 2007</ref>{{rp|55}} Its use in Northern Europe for oil lamps is documented to the 13th century.<ref name=Snowdon/> Rapeseed oil extracts were first put on the market in 1956–1957 as food products, but these suffered from several unacceptable characteristics. Rapeseed oil had a distinctive taste and a disagreeable{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} greenish color, due to the presence of [[Biology:Chlorophyll|chlorophyll]]. It also contained a high concentration of erucic acid.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fan |first1=Liuping |last2=Eskin |first2=N.A. Michael |title=Handbook of Antioxidants for Food Preservation |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/erucic-acid |website=Science Direct |publisher=Woodhead Publishing Series in Food Science, Technology and Nutrition |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref>

Canola was bred from rapeseed cultivars of ''B. napus'' and ''B. rapa'' at the [[Organization:University of Manitoba|University of Manitoba]], Canada, by Keith Downey and Baldur R. Stefansson in the early 1970s,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.science.ca/scientists/scientistprofile.php?pID=348 |access-date=29 December 2008 |year=2007 |title=Richard Keith Downey: Genetics |publisher=science.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Pederson |first1=Anne-marie |last2=Storgaard |first2=AK |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |url=https://thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/baldur-rosmund-stefansson |title=Baldur Rosmund Stefansson |access-date=4 September 2019 |date=15 December 2015}}</ref> having then a different nutritional profile than present-day oil in addition to much less [[Chemistry:Erucic acid|erucic acid]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/canola/ |title=Canola |encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]] |last=Barthet |first=V |access-date=29 December 2008}}</ref> Canola was originally a trademark name of the Rapeseed Association of Canada, and the name was a condensation of "Can" from Canada and "OLA " meaning "Oil, low acid",<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wrigley |first1=Colin W. |last2=Corke |first2=Harold |last3=Seetharaman |first3=Koushik |last4=Faubion |first4=Jonathan |name-list-style=vanc |date=17 December 2015 |title=Encyclopedia of Food Grains |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ce7tBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA238 |page=238 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=978-1785397622}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Canola Council of Canada |title=What is Canola? |url=http://www.canolacouncil.org/oil-and-meal/what-is-canola/ |date=2016 |access-date=16 December 2013}}</ref> but is now a generic term for edible varieties of rapeseed oil in North America and Australasia.<ref name="gc">{{cite web |url= https://www.genericides.org/trademark/canola|title= Has canola become a generic trademark?  |access-date= 13 May 2021 |website= genericides.org }}</ref> The change in name serves to distinguish it from natural rapeseed oil, which has much higher [[Chemistry:Erucic acid|erucic acid]] content.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

A [[Biology:Genetic engineering|genetically engineered]] rapeseed that is tolerant to the [[Biology:Herbicide|herbicide]] Roundup (glysophosphate) was first introduced to Canada in 1995 (Roundup Ready canola). A genetically modified variety developed in 1998 is considered to be the most disease- and drought-resistant canola variety to date. In 2009, 90% of the Canadian crop was herbicide-tolerant.<ref name=Beckie>Beckie, Hugh et al (Autumn 2011) [http://www.canolawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20110309_FPJ_Aut11_Beckie.et_.al_.pdf GM Canola: The Canadian Experience] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404174505/http://www.canolawatch.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/20110309_FPJ_Aut11_Beckie.et_.al_.pdf |date=4 April 2016}} Farm Policy Journal, Volume 8 Number 8, Autumn Quarter 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2012</ref> In 2005, 87% of the canola grown in the US was genetically modified.<ref name=NCFAP2006>Johnson, Stanley R. et al [http://www.ncfap.org./documents/2007biotech_report/Quantification_of_the_Impacts_on_US_Agriculture_of_Biotechnology_Executive_Summary.pdf Quantification of the Impacts on US Agriculture of Biotechnology-Derived Crops Planted in 2006] National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy, Washington DC, February 2008. Retrieved 12 August 2010.</ref> In 2011, out of the 31 million hectares of canola grown worldwide, 8.2&nbsp;million (26%) were genetically modified.<ref name=ISAAA>{{cite web |url=http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/biotech_crop_annual_update/download/04%20Canola%202012.pdf |title=Biotech Canola – Annual Update 2011 |publisher=International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications |access-date=26 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530172912/http://www.isaaa.org/resources/publications/biotech_crop_annual_update/download/04%20Canola%202012.pdf |archive-date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

A 2010 study conducted in North Dakota found glyphosate- or [[Chemistry:Glufosinate|glufosinate]]-resistance [[Biology:Transgene|transgene]]s in 80% of wild natural rapeseed plants, and a few plants that were resistant to both herbicides. This may reduce the effectiveness of the herbicide tolerance trait for weed control over time, as the weed species could also become tolerant to the herbicide. However, one of the researchers agrees that "feral populations could have become established after trucks carrying cultivated GM seeds spilled some of their load during transportation". She also notes that the GM canola results they found may have been biased as they only sampled along roadsides.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100806/full/news.2010.393.html |title=GM crop escapes into the American wild |journal=Nature |doi=10.1038/news.2010.393 |year=2010 |last1=Gilbert |first1=Natasha}}</ref>

Genetically modified canola attracts a price penalty compared to non-GM canola; in Western Australia, it is estimated to be 7.2% on average.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Paull |first=John |year=2019 |title=Genetically Modified (GM) Canola: Price Penalties and Contaminations |journal= Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=1–4 |doi=10.26717/BJSTR.2019.17.002965 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Production and trade===
[[File:Canola field in Manitoba, Canada.jpg|thumb|Canola field in Manitoba, Canada|alt=|left|310x310px]]
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; clear:left; width:18em; text-align:center;"
|-
! colspan=2|Rapeseed oil production – 2018
|-
! style="background:#ddf; width:75%;"| Country
! style="background:#ddf; width:25%;"| <small>(millions of [[Tonne|tonne]]s)</small>
|-
| {{CAN}} || 4.1
|-
| {{CHN}} || 3.6
|-
| {{GER}} || 3.1
|-
| {{IND}} || 2.5
|-
| {{FRA}} || 1.8
|-
| {{POL}} || 1.2
|-
| '''World''' || '''24.6'''
|-
|colspan=2|<small>Source: FAOSTAT of the United Nations<ref name="faostat">{{cite web |url=http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QD |title= Rapeseed oil production, 2018; Crops/Regions/World list/Production Quantity; unofficial data (pick lists) |date=2020 |publisher=UN Food and Agriculture Organization, Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) |access-date=7 April 2021}}</ref></small>
|}

In 2018, world production of rapeseed oil was 25 million [[Tonne|tonne]]s, led by Canada, China, and Germany as the leading producers accounting together for 44% of the world total.<ref name=faostat/> Canada was the world's largest exporter of rapeseed oil in 2019, shipping 3.2&nbsp;million tonnes or approximately 78% of its total production.<ref name=faostat/>

The [[Finance:Benchmark price|benchmark price]] for worldwide canola trade is the ICE Futures Canada (formerly [[Finance:Winnipeg Commodity Exchange|Winnipeg Commodity Exchange]]) canola [[Finance:Futures contract|futures contract]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ICE Futures: Canola |url=https://www.theice.com/products/251/Canola-Futures |publisher=Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. |access-date=4 September 2017 |date=2017}}</ref>

In China, [[Biology:Rapeseed|rapeseed]] meal is mostly used as a soil fertilizer rather than for animal feed,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bonjean |first1=Alain. P. |last2=Dequidt |first2=Céline |last3=Sang |first3=Tina |last4=Limagrain |first4=Groupe |title=Rapeseed in China |journal=OCL |date=18 November 2016 |volume=23 |issue=6 |page=D605 |doi=10.1051/ocl/2016045 |url=https://www.ocl-journal.org/articles/ocl/full_html/2016/06/ocl160045s/ocl160045s.html |access-date=20 March 2019 |issn=2272-6977 |doi-access=free}}{{open access}}</ref> while canola is used mainly for frying food. In the words of one observer, "China has a vegetable oil supply shortage of 20 million tonnes per year. It covers a large percentage of that shortage with soybean imports from Brazil, the U.S. and Argentina."<ref name="cggfm">{{cite web |title=Why China needs canola imports |url=https://www.country-guide.ca/crops/canola/why-china-needs-canola-imports/ |website=Country Guide |publisher=Glacier FarmMedia Limited Partnership |date=12 February 2018}}</ref>
{{clear left}}

===GMO regulation===

There are several forms of genetic modification, such as herbicide ([[Chemistry:Glyphosate|glyphosate]] and [[Chemistry:Glufosinate|glufosinate]], for example) tolerance and different qualities in canola oil. Regulation varies from country to country; for example, glyphosate-resistant canola has been approved in Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Philippines, and the US, while Laurical, a product with a different oil composition, has been approved for growing only in Canada and the US.<ref>eurofins. Last updated 31 January 2014 [http://www.eurofins.de/food-analysis/information/gmo-information/gmo-canola.aspx Genetically Modified Canola]</ref>

In 2003, Australia's gene technology regulator approved the release of canola genetically modified to make it resistant to glufosinate ammonium, a herbicide.<ref>{{Cite news |title=GM canola gets the green light |url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/04/01/1048962750314.html |work=Sydney Morning Herald |date=1 April 2003 |access-date=20 October 2007}}</ref> The introduction of the genetically modified crop to Australia generated considerable controversy.<ref>for example {{Cite news |last=Price |first=Libby |title=Network of concerned farmers demands tests from Bayer |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/vic/content/2005/s1454227.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=6 September 2005 |access-date= 10 October 2007}} and {{Cite news |title=Greenpeace has the last laugh on genetic grains talks |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/stories/s806013.htm |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=13 March 2003 |access-date=20 October 2007}} also {{Cite news |last=Cauchi |first=Stephen |title=GM: food for thought |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/24/1066974310732.html |work=The Age |date=25 October 2003 |access-date=20 October 2007}}</ref> Canola is Australia's third biggest crop, and is used often by wheat farmers as a break crop to improve soil quality. As of 2008, the only [[Biology:Genetically modified crops|genetically modified crops]] in Australia were canola, cotton, and [[Biology:Dianthus caryophyllus|carnations]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/content/gmofactsheets-3/$FILE/gmstockfeed.pdf |title=GM Crops and Stockfeed |access-date=9 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414054557/http://www.ogtr.gov.au/internet/ogtr/publishing.nsf/Content/gmofactsheets-3/$FILE/gmstockfeed.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2012}}</ref><ref>[http://www.afaa.com.au/resource_guides/Resource_Carnations.pdf GM Carnations in Australia] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508021951/http://www.afaa.com.au/resource_guides/Resource_Carnations.pdf |date=8 May 2012}}</ref>

===GMO litigation===
Genetically modified canola has become a point of controversy and contentious legal battles. In one high-profile case (Monsanto Canada Inc v Schmeiser) the Monsanto Company sued Percy Schmeiser for patent infringement after he replanted canola seed he had harvested from his field, which he discovered was contaminated with Monsanto's patented glyphosate-tolerant canola by spraying it with [[Chemistry:Glyphosate|glyphosate]], leaving only the resistant plants. The Canadian Supreme Court ruled that Percy was in violation of Monsanto's patent because he knowingly isolated and replanted the resistant seed that he had harvested.<ref>Federal Court of Appeal of Canada. [http://decisions.fca-caf.gc.ca/en/2002/2002fca309/2002fca309.html Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser (C.A.) [2003&#93; 2 F.C. 165]. Retrieved 25 March 2006.</ref>{{Dubious |date=January 2019 |reason=The statement cites Supreme Court, but the reference is from Court of Appeal. Also, the information is not matching that in the article Monsanto Canada Inc. v. Schmeiser.}} On 19 March 2008, Schmeiser and Monsanto Canada Inc. came to an out-of-court settlement whereby Monsanto would pay for the clean-up costs of the contamination, which came to a total of C$660.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hartley |first=Matt |title=Grain Farmer Claims Moral Victory in Seed Battle Against Monsanto |date=20 March 2008 |url=http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/20/7784 |work=Globe and Mail |access-date=14 May 2016 |archive-date=2 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202124717/http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/20/7784 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Western Australia, in the Marsh v Baxter case, a GM canola farmer was sued by his organic neighbour because GM canola [[Chemistry:Contamination|contamination]] led to the loss of organic [[Social:Certification|certification]]. Although the facts of the case and the losses to the organic farmer were agreed between the parties, the judge did not find the GM farmer liable for the losses.<ref name=MarshvBaxter>{{cite journal |doi=10.17707/AgricultForest.61.1.01 |url=https://www.academia.edu/11695152 |title=Gmos and Organic Agriculture: Six Lessons from Australia |journal=Agriculture and Forestry |volume=61 |issue=1 |pages= 7–14 |year=2015 |last1=Paull |first1=John |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Biodiesel===

{{main|Chemistry:Biodiesel}}
Europe has invested heavily in infrastructure to use canola oil for biodiesel, spurred by EU biodiesel policy initiatives.<ref name=USDAERC2012>USDA Economic Research Service. Last updated: 10 October 2012 [http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/soybeans-oil-crops/canola.aspx Canola] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224050354/http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/soybeans-oil-crops/canola.aspx |date=24 December 2014}}</ref>

==Production process==
[[File:Canola Oil (4107885913).jpg|thumb|200px|Canola oil]]
Canola oil is made at a processing facility by slightly heating and then crushing the seed.<ref name=steps/> Almost all commercial canola oil is then extracted using [[Chemistry:Hexane|hexane]] [[Physics:Solvent|solvent]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2015/04/13/ask-the-expert-concerns-about-canola-oil/ |title=Ask the Expert: Concerns about canola oil |work=The Nutrition Source |publisher=Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |last=Crosby |first=Guy |date=2017 |access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref> which is recovered at the end of processing. Finally, the canola oil is refined using water precipitation and organic acid to remove gums and free fatty acids, filtering to remove color, and deodorizing using steam distillation.<ref name="steps">{{cite web |title=Steps in Oil and Meal Processing |publisher=Canola Council of Canada |url=http://www.canolacouncil.org/oil-and-meal/what-is-canola/how-canola-is-processed/steps-in-oil-and-meal-processing/ |date=2016 |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> The average density of canola oil is {{cvt|0.92|g/ml|lb/USgal lb/impgal}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/book_shelf/959_tank.pdf |title=Section 3.1: Leaking Tank Experiments with Orimulsion and Canola Oil |work=NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS OR&R 6 |publisher=[[Earth:National Ocean Service|National Ocean Service]] |date=December 2001}}</ref>

Cold-pressed and [[Biology:Expeller pressing|expeller-pressed]] canola oil are also produced on a more limited basis. About 44% of a seed is oil, with the remainder as a canola meal used for animal feed.<ref name=steps/> About {{Convert|23|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} of canola seed makes {{Convert|10|litre|USgal|2|abbr=on}} of canola oil. Canola oil is a key ingredient in many foods. Its reputation as a healthy oil has created high demand in markets around the world,<ref name="what">{{cite web |title=What is canola oil? |publisher=Canola Council of Canada |url=http://www.canolacouncil.org/oil-and-meal/canola-oil/ |date=2016 |access-date=30 April 2016}}</ref> and overall it is the third-most widely consumed vegetable oil, after soybean oil and palm oil.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/soybeans-oil-crops/canola.aspx |title=Soybeans & Oil Crops |publisher=[[Organization:Economic Research Service|Economic Research Service]], US Department of Agriculture |last=Ash |first=Mark |access-date=30 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423085647/https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/soybeans-oil-crops/canola.aspx |date=15 March 2016 |archive-date=23 April 2016}}</ref>

The oil has many non-food uses and, like soybean oil, is often used interchangeably with non-renewable petroleum-based oils in products,<ref name=what/> including industrial [[Physics:Lubricant|lubricant]]s, [[Chemistry:Biodiesel|biodiesel]], candles, lipsticks, and newspaper inks, depending on the price on the spot market.{{Cn|date=January 2021}}

Canola vegetable oils certified as organic are required to be from non-[[Biology:Genetically modified organism|GMO]] rapeseed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.berkeleywellness.com/healthy-eating/food-safety/article/canola-oil-myths-and-truths |title=Canola Oil Myths and Truths |date=17 February 2015 |publisher=UC Berkeley School of Public Health |access-date=23 April 2017}}</ref>

=== Other edible rapeseed oils ===
Some less-processed versions of rapeseed oil are used for flavor in some countries. Chinese rapeseed oil was originally extracted from the field mustard. In the 19th century, rapeseed (''B. rapa'') was introduced by European traders, and local farmers crossed the new plant with field mustard to produce semi-winter rapeseed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Southwest China's Foundational Rapeseed Oil |url=https://newcookeryrecipes.info/southwest-chinas-foundational-rapeseed-oil-%E8%8F%9C%E7%B1%BD%E6%B2%B9%E7%AE%80%E4%BB%8B/ |website=New Cookery Recipes |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref> The accidentally similar genetic makeup in this cultivar to canola means the Chinese rape also contains lower levels of erucic acid.<ref>{{cite book |title=Genetics, genomics and breeding of oilseed Brassicas |publisher=Taylor & Francis Inc |date=2011 |isbn=9781578087204 |edition=1st |authors=Dave Edwards, Jacqueline Batley, Isobel Parkin, Chittaranjan Kole (editors)}}</ref><!-- Which are the authors, and which are the editors? --><!-- Parameter |authors= should be replaced with |last(n)= |first(n)= and |editor(n)-last= and |editor(n)-first= with (n) being replaced by a sequential number. --> The flavor of the oil comes from a different production process: the seeds are toasted before being expeller-pressed, imparting a special flavor.{{cn|date=April 2021}}  In India, [[Chemistry:Mustard oil|mustard oil]] is used in cooking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Sen |first1=Indrani |title=American Chefs Discover Mustard Oil |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/dining/american-chefs-discover-mustard-oil.html |website=The New York Times |date=1 November 2011}}</ref> In the United Kingdom and Ireland, some chefs use a "cabbagey" rapeseed oil processed by cold-pressing.<ref name=rapeseed>{{cite web |last1=Thring |first1=Oliver |title=The rise of rapeseed oil |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2012/jun/12/rise-of-rapeseed-oil |website=The Guardian |date=12 June 2012}}</ref> This cold process means that the oil has a low smoke point, and is therefore unsuitable for frying in Sichuan cuisine, for example.<ref>{{cite web |title=Which oil should I use for frying? |url=https://akercare.com/news/which-oil-should-i-use-for-frying/#:~:text=When%20choosing%20oil%20for%20frying%20food%20refined%20oils%20should%20be%20used.&text=Examples%20of%20such%20oils%20are,food%20in%20cold%2Dpressed%20oils. |website=AkerCare |publisher=Aker Solutions |access-date=6 April 2021}}</ref>

== Nutrition and health ==
{{Nutritional value 
| caption         = Canola oil
| serving_size    = 100 grams
| kJ              = 2738
| carbs           = 0 g
| fat             = 100 g
| protein         = 0 g
| sugars          = 0 g
| satfat          = 7.4 g
| transfat        = 0.4 g
| monofat         = 63.3 g
| polyfat         = 28.1 g
| omega3fat       = 8 g
| omega6fat       = 20 g
| fiber           = 0 g
| starch          = 0 g
| water           = 0 g
| calcium_mg      = 0
| iron_mg         = 0
| phosphorus_mg   = 0 
| magnesium_mg    = 0
| manganese_mg    = 0
| sodium_mg       = 0
| potassium_mg    = 0
| zinc_mg         = 0
| vitA_ug         = 0
| vitA_iu         = 0
| betacarotene_ug = 0
| lutein_ug       = 0
| thiamin_mg      = 0
| riboflavin_mg   = 0
| niacin_mg       = 0
| pantothenic_mg  = 0
| vitB6_mg        = 0
| folate_ug       = 0
| vitB12_ug       = 0
| vitC_mg         = 17.5
| vitE_mg         = 0
| vitK_ug         = 71.3
| source_usda     = 1
| note            = [https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/621/2 Nutrition Data]
}}

Canola oil is considered safe for human consumption,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Dupont |first1=J |last2=White |first2=PJ |last3=Johnston |first3=HA |last4=McDonald |first4=BE |last5=Grundy |first5=SM |last6=Bonanome |first6=A |date=October 1989 |title=Food safety and health effects of canola oil |journal=Journal of the American College of Nutrition |volume=8 |issue=5 |pages=360–375 |pmid=2691543 |doi=10.1080/07315724.1989.10720311}}</ref><ref name=Mayo>{{cite web |last=Zeratsky |first=Katherine |year=2009 |url=http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/canola-oil/AN01281 |title=Canola Oil: Does it Contain Toxins? |publisher=Mayo Clinic |access-date=10 August 2011}}</ref> and has a relatively low amount of [[Chemistry:Saturated fat|saturated fat]], a substantial amount of [[Chemistry:Monounsaturated fat|monounsaturated fat]], with roughly a 2:1 mono- to [[Chemistry:Polyunsaturated fat|polyunsaturated]] fats ratio.<ref name="lin"/>

In 2006, canola oil was given a qualified health claim by the United States [[Organization:Food and Drug Administration|Food and Drug Administration]] for lowering the risk of coronary heart disease, resulting from its significant content of unsaturated fats; the allowed claim for food labels states:<ref>{{cite web |date=6 October 2006 |url= https://www.fda.gov/food/ingredientspackaginglabeling/labelingnutrition/ucm072958.htm |title=Qualified Health Claims, Letter of Enforcement Discretion U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Unsaturated Fatty Acids from Canola Oil and Reduced Risk of Coronary Heart Disease |publisher=US Food and Drug Administration |author=Schneeman BO |access-date=3 September 2008}}</ref>
<blockquote>
"Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about 1 {{1/2}} tablespoons (19 grams) of canola oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the unsaturated fat content in canola oil. To achieve this possible benefit, canola oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day. One serving of this product contains [x] grams of canola oil."
</blockquote>
A 2013 review, sponsored by the Canola Council of Canada and the U.S. Canola Association, concluded there was a substantial reduction in total cholesterol and [[Medicine:Low-density lipoprotein|low-density lipoprotein]] (LDL) cholesterol, and an increase in tocopherol levels and improved insulin sensitivity, compared with other sources of dietary fat.<ref name="lin">{{cite journal |vauthors=Lin L, Allemekinders H, Dansby A, Campbell L, Durance-Tod S, Berger A, Jones PJ |title=Evidence of health benefits of canola oil |journal=Nutr. Rev. |volume=71 |issue=6 |pages=370–85 |year=2013 |pmid=23731447 |pmc=3746113 |doi=10.1111/nure.12033}}</ref> A 2014 review of health effects from consuming plant oils rich in alpha-linolenic acid, including canola, stated that there was moderate benefit for lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, bone fractures, and type-2 diabetes.<ref>{{cite journal |pmid=24898228 |year=2014 |last1=Rajaram |first1=S |title=Health benefits of plant-derived α-linolenic acid |journal=The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition |volume=100 Suppl 1 |pages=443S–8S |doi=10.3945/ajcn.113.071514 |doi-access=free}}</ref>

A 2019 review of randomized clinical trials found that canola oil consumption reduces total cholesterol (TC) and LDL compared to sunflower oil and [[Chemistry:Saturated fat|saturated fat]].<ref>{{cite journal|author=Ghobadi S, Hassanzadeh-Rostami Z, Mohammadian F, Zare M, Faghih S.|year=2019|title=Effects of Canola Oil Consumption on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials|journal=Journal of the American College of Nutrition|volume=38|issue=2|pages=185-196|doi=10.1080/07315724.2018.1475270|pmid=30381009}}</ref> Consumption of canola oil has been shown to reduce body weight when compared with saturated fat.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Raeisi-Dehkordi H, Amiri M, Humphries KH, Salehi-Abargouei A.|year=2019|title=The Effect of Canola Oil on Body Weight and Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials|journal=Advances in Nutrition|url=https://academic.oup.com/advances/article/10/3/419/5365770|volume=10|issue=3|pages= 419–432|doi=10.1093/advances/nmy108|pmid=30809634|pmc=6520036}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right;"
|-
! Compound !! Family !! % of total
|-
| [[Chemistry:Oleic acid|Oleic acid]]
| ω-9
|61%<ref name="ccc">{{cite web |url=http://www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca/Publications/dietarychart.pdf |title=Comparison of Dietary Fats Chart |publisher=Canola Council of Canada |access-date=3 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060923030316/http://www.ontariocanolagrowers.ca/Publications/dietarychart.pdf |archive-date=23 September 2006}}</ref>
|-
| [[Chemistry:Linoleic acid|Linoleic acid]]
| ω-6
|21%<ref name="ccc"/>
|-
| Alpha-linolenic acid
| ω-3
|11%<ref name="ccc"/> 9%<ref name="usda">USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 21 (2008)</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DeFilippis |first1=Andrew P. |last2=Sperling |first2=Laurence S. |title=Understanding omega-3's |url=http://www.biovita.fi/suomi/pdf/understanding_omega3.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022174611/http://www.biovita.fi/suomi/pdf/understanding_omega3.pdf |archive-date=22 October 2007}}</ref>
|-
| Saturated fatty acids
| 
|7%<ref name="ccc"/>
|-
| [[Chemistry:Palmitic acid|Palmitic acid]]
| 
|4%<ref name="usda"/>
|-
|[[Chemistry:Stearic acid|Stearic acid]]
| 
|2%<ref name="usda"/>
|-
|[[Chemistry:Trans fat|Trans fat]]
| 
|0.4%<ref name="usda22">USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 22 (2009)</ref>
|-
|[[Chemistry:Erucic acid|Erucic acid]]
| 
|0.01%<ref name="CAN2015" /> <0.1%<ref name="AUS2016" /><ref name="BRA2011" />
|}

Regarding individual components, canola oil is low in saturated fat and contains both [[Chemistry:Omega-6 fatty acid|omega-6]] and [[Chemistry:Omega-3 fatty acid|omega-3 fatty acid]]s in a ratio of 2:1. It is high in [[Chemistry:Monounsaturated fat|monounsaturated fat]]s, which may decrease the risk of heart disease.<ref>{{cite web |year=2004 |url=http://professional.diabetes.org/UserFiles/File/Make%20the%20Link%20Docs/CVD%20Toolkit/07-Choose-Fat.pdf |title=Protect Your Heart: Choose Fats Wisely |publisher=American Diabetes Association |access-date=3 September 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080912082309/http://professional.diabetes.org/UserFiles/File/Make%20the%20Link%20Docs/CVD%20Toolkit/07-Choose-Fat.pdf |archive-date=12 September 2008}}</ref>

=== Erucic acid ===
{{main|Chemistry:Erucic acid}}
Although wild rapeseed oil contains significant amounts of erucic acid,<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1007/BF02672436 |title=Crismer values and erucic acid contents of rapeseed oils |journal=Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society |volume=54 |issue=8 |pages=323–324 |year=1977 |last1=Sahasrabudhe |first1=M. R. |s2cid=84400266}}</ref> the cultivars used to produce commercial, food-grade canola oil were [[Biology:Plant breeding|bred]] to contain less than 2% erucic acid,<ref name=CFR21/> an amount deemed not significant as a health risk. To date, no health effects have been associated with dietary consumption of erucic acid by humans; but tests of erucic acid metabolism in other species imply that higher levels may be detrimental.<ref name=fsa>Food Standards Australia New Zealand (June 2003) [http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/publications/documents/Erucic%20acid%20monograph.pdf Erucic acid in food: A Toxicological Review and Risk Assessment] Technical report series No. 21; Page 4 paragraph 1; {{ISBN|0-642-34526-0}}, ISSN 1448-3017</ref><ref name=Hayes2>Luger CL et al. Food Safety and Foodborne Toxicants. Chapter 14 in Hayes' Principles and Methods of Toxicology, Sixth Edition. Eds A. Wallace Hayes, Claire L. Kruger. CRC Press, 2014 {{ISBN|9781842145371}}. Quote: "In humans. however. although the long-term use of Lorenzo's oil (oleic acid and erucic acid) in the treatment of adrenoleukodystrophy or adrenomyeloneuropathy leads to thrombocytopenia and lymphopenia (Unkrig et al. 1994), adverse effects from dietary consumption of erucic acid have not been reported."</ref>{{rp|646–657}} Canola oil produced using genetically modified plants has also not been shown to explicitly produce adverse effects.<ref name=Hayes1>{{cite book |last1=Reddy |first1=Chada S. |last2=Hayes |first2=A. Wallace |year=2007 |editor1-last=Hayes |editor1-first=A. Wallace |title=Principles and methods of toxicology |edition=5th |location=London, UK |publisher=Informa Healthcare |chapter=Foodborne Toxicants |page=640 |isbn=978-0-8493-3778-9}}</ref>

The erucic acid content in canola oil has been reduced over the years. In western Canada, a reduction occurred from the average content of 0.5% between 1987 and 1996<ref>{{cite press release |last1=D.R. |first1=DeClercq |last2=J.K. |first2=Daun |last3=K.H. |first3=Tipples |date=1997 |title=Quality of Western Canadian Canola 1997 |url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/Collection/A92-14-1997E.pdf |location=Canadian Grain Research Laboratory |publisher=Canadian Grain Commission |issn=0836-1657 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> to a current content of 0.01% from 2008 to 2015.<ref name="CAN2015">{{cite press release |last=J. Barthet |first=Véronique J. |date=2015 |title=Quality of western Canadian Canola 2015 |url=http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2016/ccg-cgc/A92-14-2015-eng.pdf |location=Canadian Grain Research Laboratory |publisher=Canadian Grain Commission |issn=1700-2222 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> Other reports also show a content lower than 0.1% in Australia<ref name="AUS2016">{{cite press release |last1=D.E. |first1=Seberry |last2=D.W. |first2=McCaffery |last3=T.M. |first3=Kingham |date=2016 |title=Quality of Australian canola 2015–16 |url=http://www.australianoilseeds.com/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/10873/2015-16_Book.pdf |location=Australia |publisher=NSW Department of Primary Industries – Australian Oilseeds Federation |issn=1322-9397 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref> and Brazil.<ref name="BRA2011">{{cite thesis |last1=Heidy Aguilera Fuentes |first1=Paula |last2=Jose Ogliaria |first2=Paulo |last3=Carlos Deschamps |first3=Francisco |last4=Barrera Arellano |first4=Daniel |last5=Mara Block |first5=Jane |date=2011 |title=Avaliação da Qualidade de Óleos de Soja, Canola, Milho e Girassol Durante o Armazenamento |location=Florianópolis, Brazil |chapter=Centro de Ciências Agrárias |trans-chapter=Agricultural Science Center |publisher=Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina |language=pt |url=https://repositorio.ufsc.br/bitstream/handle/123456789/95494/297094.pdf |oclc=817268651 |access-date=21 December 2016}}</ref>

Canola oil poses no unusual health risks,<ref name="Hayes2"/>{{rp|646–657}} and its consumption in food-grade forms is [[Chemistry:Generally recognized as safe|generally recognized as safe]] by the United States Food and Drug Administration.<ref name=Mayo /><ref name=CFR21>U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, [http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=184.1555 CFR – Code of Federal Regulations Title 21] 1 April 2010.</ref>

=== Comparison to other vegetable oils ===

== See also ==
* [[Chemistry:Colza oil|Colza oil]]
* [[Biology:List of canola diseases|List of canola diseases]]
* [[Biology:Triangle of U|Triangle of U]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141224050354/http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/soybeans-oil-crops/canola.aspx USDA-ERS Topic – Canola] Summary of canola production, trade, and consumption as well as links to relevant USDA reports.

{{Fatsandoils}}

[[Category:Brassica]]

de:Raps#Canola
fr:Huile de colza

{{Sourceattribution|Canola oil|1}}