Nutritional Improvement through Processing and Breeding

Although not exactly a hearty endorsement of the oil this did open the door to expanded edible use, and the next 5 years saw rapid development of the rapeseed industry. Canada Packers led the way in the use of rapeseed oil in liquid oils, shortenings, and margarines, and various other food processors followed. Introduction and expanded use of the oil was gradual as all of these companies had to do a great deal of testing to develop suitable formulations, and to maintain the required quality in their products. Utilization was assisted by a marked improvement in the quality of rapeseed oil as plant breeders developed improved varieties of rape. 

Improved crushing techniques also contributed to the expanded use as several of the western oil seed processing plants changed from straight ex-peller or screw press crushing to the prepress solvent extraction process. 

Sallans viewed this time as critical in the development of the industry. Arrangement was made for Dr. Craig and Dr. Wetter from the Prairie Regional Laboratory and Mr. Reynolds from the Wheat Pool to spend 6 weeks in Europe studying processing and utilization of rapeseed, its oil, and its meal. This was the beginning of many exchange missions between Canada and other countries on the subject of rapeseed. 

Production and edible use of the oil continued to expand with the opening of processing plants by Western Canadian Seed Processors (now Canbra Foods) at Lethbridge in 1960, and Agra Vegetable Oil (now CSP Foods) at Nipawin in 1963. Rapeseed was also crushed in Canlin s expeller plant in Montreal since 1967. 

The indispensable role played by Canada s rapeseed crushing industry in its multifaceted approach has added immeasurably to the development of rapeseed as Canada s number one oilseed. Throughout the inchoate stage, it bore a large share of the cost burden not only financially but also in terms of 

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