Standards for Canola

Canola is genetically improved rapeseed. There are two distinguishing characteristics, one relating to the oil component, the other to the meal. 

Canola oil is the oil extracted from whole seeds of varieties from Brassica campestris and Brassica napus species with low levels of both erucic acid and glucosinolates, which are commonly processed for edible purposes. It shall not contain more than 5% erucic acid. For complete details see Table II. 

Canola meal is the meal obtained after the removal of most of the oil from whole seeds of varieties with low levels of both erucic acid and glucosino-lates, by a prepress solvent extraction or direct solvent extraction process. It shall contain not more than three milligram equivalents of 3-butenyl isothiocyanate per gram of oil-free dried meal. 

Rapeseed meal contains small amounts of sulfur compounds that have growth inhibiting effects when fed to certain types of livestock. These sulfur compounds are called glucosinolates. 

The modern rapeseed varieties known as canola are also termed double low because of the two above-mentioned characteristics. Presently the Canadian production of canola or double low varieties is testing about 2% erucic acid with the expectation of soon reaching 1% or less. Virtually all (90%) of the rapeseed now grown in Canada is of the canola type. 

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