Canola is a type of edible rapeseed plant bred to have less than 2% erucic acid in the oil and low levels of glucosinolates in the meal, making it safe and healthy for human and animal consumption. It is derived from the rapeseed plant (Brassica napus) using traditional plant breeding methods, with the name "canola" being a contraction of "Canadian oil, low acid."

• Origin & Naming: Developed in Canada in the 1970s by scientists at the University of Manitoba, canola was created to improve the nutritional profile of rapeseed. The name was trademarked in 1979 and later became a generic term for edible rapeseed in North America and Australasia.

• Key Features:

  • Plants grow 3 to 5 feet tall with bright yellow, four-petaled flowers.

  • Seeds are small (similar to poppy seeds), brownish-black, and contain 35–45% oil.

  • Canola oil has the lowest saturated fat content (6%) of any common cooking oil, is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, and contains essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

  • Canola meal (after oil extraction) is a high-protein animal feed (34–36% protein), used in livestock, poultry, fish, and dairy rations.

• Uses:

  • Culinary: Ideal for baking, frying, sautéing, salad dressings, and food processing due to its neutral flavor and high smoke point (~204°C or 400°F).

  • Industrial: Used in biodiesel, renewable diesel, lubricants, cosmetics, printing inks, bio-plastics, and aquaculture.

  • Sustainable Crop: Excellent rotational crop for wheat and other small grains—improves soil health, breaks pest cycles, reduces diseases like take-all root rot, and can increase subsequent wheat yields by up to 15%.

• Production:

  • World leader: Canada produces 30% of global canola supply and accounts for over 60% of exports.

  • U.S. production: In 2024, 2.7 million acres were harvested, primarily in North Dakota, Montana, and the Pacific Northwest.

  • Demand vs. Supply: The U.S. demand for canola oil far exceeds domestic supply, leading to significant imports from Canada.

• Health & Safety:

  • FDA-recognized as safe since 1985.

  • Qualified health claim: Eating 1.5 tablespoons (19g) daily may reduce coronary heart disease risk when replacing saturated fats.

  • Erucic acid levels in modern canola oil are 0.01% or less, well below the 2% threshold considered safe.

• Varieties: Includes spring and winter types, with both genetically modified (e.g., Roundup Ready, Liberty-tolerant) and non-GMO (e.g., Clearfield™) options available. Organic canola must be non-GMO and grown with strict isolation to prevent cross-pollination.

Canola is a versatile, sustainable, and health-conscious crop central to modern agriculture and food systems worldwide.