Canola oil is the preferred oil for use in both countries because it is the oil lowest in saturated fats. Canola meal is the by-product of canola oil processing. It is used as a high-protein feed ingredient in the rations of poultry, swine, cattle and fish.

These food and feed applications are possible through strict procedures used in the processing of canola seed into oil and meal. This document describes the processing methodologies that are used by the canola industry to produce high quality oil and meal products.

The production of edible vegetable oils including canola oil involves two overall processes, mechanical pressing and extraction, and further processing to remove impurities. The techniques used are similar for most vegetable oils produced from the seeds of plants. The crushing and extraction processes utilized by the canola industry today produce very little change to the fatty acid profile of the oil and the nutritional qualities of the meal.