Beginning in the early 90’s, Canola oil became a face product for what was known as the low-fat food craze.
Canola oil, the name actually derived from a mixture of the words Canada, oil, low and acid, comes from the rape seed. Although originally rapeseed oil was considered inedible due to its high euric acid content, and was originally used in lamps and for lubrication purposes, the rapeseed was eventually bred to a point where the euric acid was reduced to a very low non-harmful level.
Beginning in the 80’s and culminating in the early 90’s, the health benefits of Canola oil became rather publicized and the product proved very popular at a time when losing weight and staying in shape was key to consumers. Canola oil boasts a very low saturated and high monounsaturated fat content, as well as having omega-3 fatty acids which promote heart health.
Oppositely, there are many that believe Canola oil to be harmful to the heart rather than helpful as it is believed by some that the euric acid content of Canola is indeed actually harmful to the heart. However, these allegations have been discredited by numerous health institutions and studies.
In 1995 the first crop of Canola oil was genetically engineered to be resistant to herbicide; followed in 1998 when crops of Canola oil were genetic engineered to be disease and drought resistant. This has caused controversy in some parts of the world for various ethical and economic reasons.
Regardless of such controversy, Canola oil remains one of the biggest selling oils today. In 2000, it was the world’s 3rd leading source in oil. Today it is categorized as having one of the biggest selling genetically-modified crops with 80% of being genetically modified. These numbers cement the status of Canola oil as a health beneficial food product.
Sources:
Barthet, V. (2009). Canola. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 25, 2009 from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001356
No Author. (2007). What is Canola? A problem with weeds—the canola story. Retrieved October 25, 2009 from http://www.biotechnologyonline.gov.au/foodag/weeds.html
No Author. (2007). Canola Facts: Why Growers Choose GM Canola. Canola Council of Canada. Retrieved October 25, 2009 from http://www.canola-council.org/facts_gmo.aspx.
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