“We Use Canola Oil” Logo to Showcase Healthy Oil Change

For the first time, the Calgary Stampede will give the boot to trans fat in cooking oil used by its food vendors. The fair’s exclusive use of canola oil – one of the healthiest oils in the marketplace due to its zero trans fat and low saturated fat content – will allow fairgoers to enjoy their favorite deep-fried foods with less guilt and good unsaturated fats.

The Stampede will tout its healthy oil change via posters and other promotional materials bearing a “We Use Canola Oil” logo in midway food stands, restaurants and concessions. Fair offerings, including corn dogs, elephant ears, fish n’ chips and French fries, will all be prepared with trans-free canola oil. CanolaInfo, a North American marketing coalition for canola oil headquartered at the Canola Council of Canada, developed the logo to raise consumer awareness of this healthy oil and foods that contain it.

“As public demand increases for trans fat-free oils, so does the use and promotion of canola oil,” says Robert Hunter, assistant vice president, CanolaInfo/Canola Council of Canada. “Food service operators that have switched to canola oil are proud of their decision. The ‘We Use Canola Oil’ logo will give them official bragging rights.”
Not only is canola oil trans fat-free, it has the lowest amount (7%) of saturated fat of any common culinary oil and zero cholesterol. In October 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized a qualified health claim for canola oil due to its ability to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Given this healthy profile, canola oil is a natural replacement for partially hydrogenated oils, which are the primary source of trans fat in North America. Canola oil already meets Health Canada’s new recommendations of no more than 2 percent trans fat in vegetable oils and can help food products meet the government target of 5 percent trans fat.
“Having the Calgary Stampede go ‘trans fat-free’ is a huge win for Albertans,” said Greg Porozni, chair of the Alberta Canola Producers Commission. “It provides consumers with healthier food choices at the exhibition and encourages canola producers to grow and sell into a higher-priced canola seed market.”

While canola oil is ideal for deep-frying, it also works well with other cooking applications such as grilling, sautéing and baking as well as in salads, dips dressings and marinades.

CanolaInfo (www.canolainfo.org) is the information source for consumers, health professionals, chefs, media, educators – everyone who wants to know more about the world’s healthiest oil – canola. The CanolaInfo team is supported by North America’s canola growers, crop input suppliers, exporters, processors, food manufacturers and governments.

The Alberta Canola Producers Commission (www.canola.ab.ca) was founded in 1989 to increase the long-term profitability of Alberta canola growers through research, promotional activities, consumer and producer education programs, and policy development.

For more information related to your area, contact:
Derwyn Hammond, Manitoba (204) 729-9011;
Jim Bessel, North Saskatchewan (306) 373-6771;
David Vanthuyne, Eastern Saskatchewan (306) 782-7799;
Doug Moisey, Parkland East (780) 645-3624;
Matthew Stanford, Chinook (403) 758-6660;
John Mayko, Parkland West (780) 764-2593;
Anne Vos, Peace Region (780) 835-4632

This media release is part of the Canola Council’s Canola Advantage program.
The program is supported regionally by:
Alberta Canola Producers Commission
Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission
Manitoba Canola Growers Association
Canola Council of Canada
Peace River Agriculture Development Fund
B.C. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries