FAQs About Canola

Canola is used for cooking oil, food processing, livestock feed, and renewable fuels. Canola seed is crushed to produce canola oil, which is used in home kitchens, restaurants, and food manufacturing. The protein-rich meal left after oil extraction is used in feed for dairy cattle, swine, poultry, and fish. Canola oil can also be used in renewable diesel and biodiesel production. Learn more on the How Canola is Used page.

Canola oil and olive oil are both unsaturated cooking oils, but they are used differently in the kitchen. Canola oil has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, which makes it useful for frying, sautéing, baking, and recipes where you do not want the oil to affect flavor. Olive oil has a stronger flavor and is often chosen for dressings, finishing, and Mediterranean-style cooking. Canola oil is also low in saturated fat and contains omega-3 fat. For a fuller comparison, visit the Health Benefits of Canola page.

Canola seed is typically about 35–45% oil, with the remaining portion becoming protein meal after the oil is extracted. The oil is refined for food and cooking uses, while the meal is used as a high-protein livestock feed. Farmers do not grow separate canola plants for oil and meal; each harvested seed can produce both products. More details are available on the How Canola is Used page.

Canola oil is extracted by cleaning and heating the seed, then removing the oil either mechanically (expeller press) or by solvent extraction. Food-grade canola oil is then refined through steps such as degumming, neutralization, bleaching, and deodorization to create a neutral-tasting cooking oil. Photos and process visuals are available in the Photo Gallery, and additional background is available on the Production Process page.

Canola meal is used as a high-protein feed ingredient for dairy cattle, swine, poultry, and fish. Dairy operations are a major market because canola meal can increase milk production when included properly in rations. For additional feed information, visit the Canola Council of Canada’s canola meal resources(opens in new tab).

Canola seed may be included in some specialty bird seed mixes, especially blends designed for smaller birds such as finches. Most commercial canola production, however, is grown for oil extraction and meal rather than bird seed.

Canola oil is commonly used for high-heat cooking because it has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point compared with many common cooking oils. That makes it practical for frying, sautéing, stir-frying, and baking. Like any cooking oil, canola oil should not be repeatedly overheated or used after it has broken down. Learn more about cooking uses on the How Canola is Used page.

Current human nutrition research does not show that normal canola oil consumption causes Alzheimer’s disease. Concerns about canola oil and Alzheimer’s disease have often been tied to limited animal research that was challenged by other scientists because animal studies do not always translate directly to human diets. Consumers looking at this topic should consider the broader body of peer-reviewed nutrition research, not a single study. The U.S. Canola Association provides additional canola health information.