![]() ![]() Keep in mind that there’s a difference between genetic modification and genetic engineering. Genetically engineered canola oilĪnother concern about canola oil is that it is made from canola plants that have been genetically modified. ![]() ![]() However, if you prefer to avoid canola oil that has been processed with hexane, choose expeller-pressed or cold–pressed canola oil instead. Interestingly, Health Canada even states that this level of hexane residues in vegetable oils is likely an overestimate.Īdditionally, a study assessing hexane residue levels in a variety of vegetable oils, including canola, found that all of the oils tested contained residues at levels much lower than the maximum residue limit set by the European Union ( 4). ![]() According to Health Canada, refined vegetable oils like canola only contain about 0.8 parts per million and hexane residues in food sources do not contribute significantly to a person’s total exposure to hexane. However, residual hexane is present in such minuscule amounts in canola oil that it most likely doesn’t pose any threat to health. These concerns are understandable, given that long-term exposure to hexane via inhalation has been linked to neuropathy in humans ( 3). HexaneĪ common misconception about canola oil is that it is toxic due to its contact with hexane during traditional processing. Is canola oil healthy?Ĭoncerns about the safety of ingesting canola oil often stem from the use of hexane in traditional processing methods, the fact that canola oil is often genetically engineered, and its potential for rancidity. Yes, canola oil is vegan since it is made from a plant-based source (the canola plant) and does not require the use of any animal products in the processing of refined, expeller-pressed, or cold-pressed varieties. Cold-pressed canola oil is never deodorized. The resulting oil is higher in antioxidants, which are mostly destroyed by traditional processing methods. The only method of extracting the oil used is mechanically pressing the seeds. As with expeller-pressed canola oil, the cold-pressing process does not use solvents to extract the oil. The goal with this process is to prevent any heat production, so the machines used for pressing are set to a slow speed. To produce cold-pressed canola oil, no heating or cooking of the canola seeds take place. Canola oil produced this way is labeled “expeller-pressed canola oil”. It may or may not be deodorized, depending on the manufacturer. The steps for producing expeller-pressed canola oil are the same as traditional processing, with the exception that the seeds are pressed a second time and no chemical solvent is used. Any undesirable colors or odors still present in the canola oil may be removed through a steam distillation (deodorization) process.Ĭanola oil produced using this method is called “refined” canola oil. The oil is then filtered to remove the remaining hexane. Hexane carries away the small amount of oil still present in the seeds after pressing. They are then pressed by machines, which extract most of the oil.Īfter pressing, the seeds are treated with a chemical solvent called hexane. In traditional processing, canola seeds are washed, heated, flaked, rolled, and cooked so that the oil can be extracted more efficiently. How is canola oil made?Ĭanola oil is usually made in one of three ways: traditional processing, expeller press, or cold press ( 2). Most canola oil has a light color and neutral flavor, making it a popular choice for cooking and baking. Therefore, rapeseed was cross-bred to produce a plant (the canola plant) that was much lower (<2%) in erucic acid ( 1). Rapeseed is naturally high in erucic acid, a compound that was found in the 1970s to be toxic in high amounts. Both canola and rapeseed have bright yellow flowers and are in the Brassicaceae family, related to many cruciferous vegetables like mustard greens, cabbage, and broccoli. Canola oil is an edible oil made from the canola plant, which was produced by selective breeding of the similar-looking rapeseed plant. ![]()
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