Is Canola Oil Ultra Processed?
Not Typically Ultra-Processed
Canola oil is moderately to highly processed (Level 2-3). Like most seed oils, it requires hexane solvent extraction, degumming, bleaching, and deodorizing. Cold-pressed canola oil exists but represents a tiny fraction of production.
Key Findings
- •"Canola" was bred from rapeseed in the 1970s to reduce erucic acid — the name means "Canadian oil, low acid"
- •Deodorizing canola oil requires steam distillation at 220-270C — more aggressive than most oils due to rapeseed's naturally strong flavor
- •Expeller-pressed canola oil skips hexane extraction, reducing processing to Level 2
Why Is Canola Oil Level 3?
Canola oil has a uniquely engineered origin: it was developed in the 1970s from rapeseed through conventional breeding (not genetic modification) to reduce erucic acid content below 2%. The name "canola" stands for "Canadian oil, low acid." The extraction process mirrors vegetable oil: seeds are crushed, washed with hexane to extract oil, then the crude oil undergoes degumming (phosphoric acid), alkali neutralization (sodium hydroxide), bleaching (activated clay), and deodorizing (steam distillation at 220-270C). This final deodorizing step is particularly aggressive for canola because rapeseed oil has naturally strong flavors that must be removed. Cold-pressed canola oil skips the hexane and chemical refining but costs 3-5x more and has a lower smoke point.
Canola Oil Processing Level Distribution
How 853 canola oil products break down by processing level:
Average ingredient count: 2.3 · Average nutrition score: 2.9/10
Canola Oil Brand Comparison
Comparing the least to most processed canola oil products in our database:
| Product | Brand | Level | Score | Ingredients |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100% Pure Canola Oil | Golchin | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Pure Canola Oil | Iberia | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Pure Canola Oil | Stater Bros. | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Canola Oil | Tops | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| 100% Pure Canola Oil | Big Y | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Canola Oil | Tops | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Organic Canola Oil | Market Basket | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Canola Oil | Tops | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Time Honored Cooking Oil, Grass Fed Beef Tallow | Epic | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
| Pork Lard Time Honored Cooking Oil | Epic | Processing Level: 1 out of 4 - Minimally Processed | 1.0 | 1 |
How to Read Canola Oil Labels
- 1
Standard canola oil lists one ingredient but undergoes 6+ industrial processing steps
- 2
"Expeller-pressed" canola uses mechanical pressing instead of hexane — a less processed option
- 3
Cold-pressed canola oil retains more flavor and color but has a lower smoke point
- 4
Canola oil is not the same as rapeseed oil — canola was specifically bred for low erucic acid content
Frequently Asked Questions
Is canola oil genetically modified?
The original canola was developed through conventional breeding in the 1970s. Today, about 90% of North American canola is GMO (herbicide-tolerant varieties). Organic canola oil is non-GMO by definition. The GMO status does not change the processing level.
Is canola oil the same as rapeseed oil?
Not exactly. Canola is a specific cultivar of rapeseed bred to contain less than 2% erucic acid. Traditional rapeseed oil has higher erucic acid levels. In Europe, "rapeseed oil" on labels is typically the same low-erucic variety called "canola" in North America.
Is canola oil or olive oil less processed?
Extra virgin olive oil (Level 1) is significantly less processed than canola oil (Level 2-3). Olive oil requires only mechanical pressing; canola oil typically requires hexane extraction and multi-step chemical refining.