Dear Dr. Blonz,
      I am concerned with information on the Web stating that canola oil is rapeseed oil and is not fit for human consumption, even after manufacturers address the toxic substances found in the original seed oil. This information says the oil causes blindness and other severe health problems. What are your thoughts about this product? Could it be another trans-fatty acid that people should avoid? RH, Nashua NH

Dear RH,
     Misinformation on the Internet is like a pesky weed that keeps coming back. A dated seed of an item hanging out in some dusty corner of the Web gets replanted and sent around anew, thus forcing a new round of the game of “whom do you trust?” I am glad you wrote because we each have the responsibility to exercise due diligence to find out the facts before we press the fear button, or, even worse, send the message on to others. One way is to use an Internet search engine, searching for the term(s) of the question, coupled with the term “urban legend.” Doing this for canola would have filled your pantry with a more rational take on the anti-canola nonsense. There is nothing wrong with this oil. It’s not a trans-fat, but the fatty acids in canola can be hydrogenated into a trans-fat by a processor if so desired. If that were the case, though, it would be mentioned on the ingredients list, and the number of grams of trans-fat would be noted on the nutrition-facts panel.

Do you have a question that involves nutrition, health and wellness? Dr. Ed Blonz holds an M.S. and Ph.D. in nutrition, and has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of nutrition, foods and health. He is the author of seven books and writes the nationally syndicated column, "On Nutrition," available through United Features Syndicate.

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