What is erucic acid?
Erucic acid is a 22-carbon fatty acid that is present in all members of the Brassica family in trace amounts. Erucic acid constitutes 40%-50% of the fatty acid content in rapeseed, however canola has been bred to typically contain less than 2% erucic acid. Because of this, canola oil is thought to have a more neutral taste and to be healthier for human consumption. Note that erucic acid is not all bad: for individuals with the wasting disease adrenoleukodystrophy, erucic acid is actually helpful with treatment and was the lifesaving ingredient of Lorenzo’s oil. Is Canola an industrial oil? Whereas it is true that Canola Oil can be used as an industrial oil (as an insecticide, lubricant, fuel, in soap, rubber and ink), this does not mean that the food form of canola is dangerous for human consumption or inedible. Many oils besides canola have been used as both industrial and edible oils, depending on how they are prepared. For example, coconut oil is used in many industrial products, in
