Canada’s canola goals
Like the soybean industry, the canola industry was quick to point out pho alternatives once the F.D.A. made its announcement.
“Many food companies have already taken steps to remove trans fats from their products and menus,” said David Dzisiak, commercial leader for Dow AgroSciences, L.L.C., Indianapolis, in June. “However, this action by the F.D.A. will prompt those who haven’t made the switch to seek healthier oil alternatives. Great solutions already exist that will make foods healthier for consumers.”
Dow AgroSciences developed omega-9 fatty acid oils from canola and sunflower seeds. Omega-9 fatty acid canola oil has zero trans fat and is high in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, according to the company. It may be used in applications currently employing phos without reducing shelf life or stability. Canola oils are used in salad dressings, margarines, spreads, savory snack foods, food service cooking oils and many packaged foods.
Minneapolis-based Cargill on July 20 celebrated the opening of a canola processing facility in Camrose, Alta. The plant has the capacity to process more than 1 million tonnes of canola per year, said Ken Stone, assistant vice-president of Cargill’s Canadian canola processing business.
The Canola Council of Canada has a goal of producing 26 million tonnes of canola per year by 2025.
“More than half of this will be processed in Canada for markets around the world,” said Patti Miller, president of the Canola Council of Canada, based in Winnipeg, Man. “Cargill’s new plant takes us a step closer to achieving this goal.”
Canola oil is only about 7% saturated fat, or the lowest level of any culinary oil, according to Canolainfo, Winnipeg, an information source supported by Canada’s canola growers, crop input suppliers, exporters, processors, food manufacturers and governments.
