Posted by Rock 3 years ago In:

canola oil

Rock Asked:

Why is it called Canola Oil if it is processed from rapeseed?

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profitbob Answered:

Because rape oil sounds obscene?

No, seriously, canola is rapeseed, but it has lower levels of erucic acid. It comes from "Canadian oil, low acid".

Posted 3 years ago
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JTLemon423 Answered:

In Canada it is called lear oil for "low erucic acid rapeseed oil." A major element distinguishing canola oil from its industrial rapeseed oil cousin, high erucic acid rapeseed oil (HEAR Oil), used to lubricate industrial machinery, is the amount of erucic acid permitted in the oil by government standards. Regulations, both in Canada and the United States, allow no more than 2% of this toxic fatty acid in the food product while industrial rapeseed oil hovers around 45-60%. Oh, and that 2%? generally not considered dangerous except in unweaned pigs or baby humans. They lack the digestive liver enzyme in sufficient quantities to break it down. It is also present in mustard seed, and considered beneficial there. google/Wiki it if you need to know more.

Posted 2 years ago

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ledlightingfan Answered:

Thanks for the fascinating insight, JTLemon, I didn't realise that it used the high erucic acid rapeseed oil that you mention (its industrial rapeseed oil cousin, as you say). Also, thanks for the original poster for starting off this discussion!