Hi–

I think the label is just plain wrong. I’ve read a couple of papers on the deodorization of canola oil (which smells and looks wretched as it comes from the seed), and both found that the process creates trans fats. I suspect that most processors don’t list trans fats on the label unless the oils have gone through the partial hydrogenation process. Unfortunately, that’s not the only way that trans fats are created.

I’ve never had a sample of canola oil analyzed myself so I certainly wouldn’t bet my life that it all contains trans fats, but based on what I’ve read in the scientific literature, MD and I don’t use it any longer.

Best–

MRE

I have read a couple of papers showing that virtually all canola oil contains trans fats. Canola oil as it comes from the rape seed is a nasty smelling substance that must be deodorized before it can be consumed. During the chemical deodorization process, according to these papers, a portion of the unsaturated fats are converted to trans fats. The labels listing zero trans fats are probably correct in the fact that the canola oil hasn’t gone through the partial hydrogenation process to actually make trans fats, but is incorrect in terms of the trans fats that are there from deodorization.

MRE