April 18, 2008

Canola modelling study to have international audience - The International Confederation of Dietetic Associations has accepted a canola oil modelling study by Dr. Guy Johnson, a US-based nutritional consultant, for presentation at its International Congress of Dietetics.

The study showed that substitution of canola oil and canola oil-based margarine for most other vegetable oils and spreads increases compliance with dietary recommendations for saturated fat, monounsaturated fat and alpha-linolenic acid among US adults. Johnson used 24-hour food recall data from a 1999-2002 survey to calculate these effects.

The study has been published in the Journal of the American Dietetics Association. The international dietetics congress will be held in Yokohama, Japan September 8-11.

Canola protein shows anti-diabetes potential - A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition suggests that using canola proteins in place of milk proteins could delay the onset of insulin resistance and protect against diabetes.

The researchers used proteins from canola and tested their effects in rats fed a diet high in saturated fat and sucrose and including 20% protein sourced from milk or canola. After nine weeks of feeding, the researchers report an increase in the rats' blood glucose, insulin and triglycerides levels, but insulin levels were significantly 34% lower in the control group, and 56% lower in the group fed milk protein-saturated fat than in the canola protein-fed group.

For more details of the study findings, go to: http://www.nutraingredients.com/news/printNewsBis.asp?id=84633

Dow AgroSciences expands R&D site - The Saskatoon, SK R&D site operated by Dow AgroSciences will expand in order to grow its canola research capabilities, according to the company.

This R&D station is focused on developing innovative canola traits, leading hybrids and varieties. It will continue work on Nexera canola and Omega-9 oils, and also look at improved oil profiles, enhanced meal and agronomic traits. The expansion, which will include additional jobs, building expansion and equipment is expected to be complete in early 2009.

Olympic swimmer goes for gold with canola - Janet Evans, a four-time Olympic swimming gold medalist and world record holder, is the newest CanolaInfo spokesperson. She will highlight the health benefits of canola oil in a wellness campaign targeting Americans before and after the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Evans will promote the health benefits of canola oil along with nutrition and wellness tips via US radio, print and television interviews; live appearances, including at the American Dietetic Association meeting in Chicago in October; promotional materials co-branded with the American Heart Blood Institute; print ads; and the CanolaInfo website. Go to http://www.canolainfo.org/ to see photos of Evans and her "gold medal" recipes.

Jim Everson joins Canola Council - The Canola Council has renewed its presence in the Canadian capital as Jim Everson took on the role of vice president of corporate affairs effective April 1. He will represent Canada's $14 billion canola industry in Ottawa on issues of major political and regulatory importance, says Council president JoAnne Buth.

Everson has extensive experience dealing with government issues for private companies, associations and non-profit groups for over 15 years. Following seven years as an advisor in the federal government, he worked with a major Ottawa-based government relations company, eventually moving into the role of president. Everson has also had his own government relations and public affairs practice.

ICE Futures Canada names new president - At the end of April Brad Vannan will assume the role of president and chief operating officer for ICE Futures Canada, the exchange that handles Canadian canola trading. Will Hill announced in February that he would leave the post after a period of transition.

Vannan previously served as vice president overseeing grain merchandising, transportation and logistics, specialty crops and pulse operations and grain accounting for Agricore United.

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