History of Canola
History of the canola plant.
There is a strict internationally regulated definition of canola that differentiates canola from rapeseed, based upon it having less than two percent erucic acid and less than 30 micromoles of glucosinolates. Oilseed products that do not meet this standard cannot use the term canola.
High erucic acid rapeseed acreage, although still grown, is now confined to production under contract for specific industrial uses, including environmentally friendly lubricants.
Canola milestones.
1974
Tower, the first canola variety, was released. This new B. napus variety meant that Canada could now produce oil and meal which was nutritionally superior to that produced from rapeseed in other parts of the world.
1975
1976
The conversion to low-erucic acid varieties reached an average 98.5% of plantings.
1977
Candle, the first B. rapa canola variety, was released.
1978
The term canola was trademarked by the Western Canadian Oilseed Crushers’ Association (now the Canadian Oilseed Processors Association) to differentiate the superior low-erucic acid and low-glucosinolate varieties and their products from the older rapeseed varieties.
1985
1988-89
1995
The first herbicide-tolerant canola variety was released.
2006
2012
2018
2024
The first high-stability canola oil was introduced.
Find canola oil recipes.
Canola oil is used in kitchens around the world, well liked for being healthy, affordable and versatile.
