By Angela Dansby
On Dec. 10, the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) – 20 nationally recognized nutrition and public health experts appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – issued its scientific report for public comment. Once finalized, it will used by the HHS and USDA to develop the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-30, which will be issued next year. The DGAC recommendations pertaining to canola oil, which is high in unsaturated fat (93%), are as follows:
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- Saturated fat is a nutrient of public health concern due to overconsumption. Per the DGAC’s chart below, more than 80 percent of the U.S. population ages 1 year and older exceeds the saturated fat limit of 10 percent of calories per day. Adolescents are at particularly high risk. By sociodemographic groups of adults, 88 percent of White, 76 percent of Black, 74 percent of Hispanic, and 54 percent of Asian adults exceed the limit for saturated fat.
- A healthy dietary pattern for individuals ages 2 years and older is higher in vegetables, fruits, legumes (i.e., beans, peas, lentils), nuts, whole grains, fish/seafood, and vegetable oils higher in unsaturated fat, and lower in red and processed meats, sugar-sweetened foods and beverages, refined grains, and saturated fat. Dietary patterns for adults with lower intakes of saturated fats were associated favorably with health outcomes, such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), colorectal cancer, adiposity, obesity, gestational diabetes and small for gestational age. Among adults ages 18 years and older, prevalence of coronary heart disease is 5 percent.
- Since the first edition of the Dietary Guidelines was published in 1980, each subsequent edition has consistently recommended limiting consumption of saturated fat. Guidance has been informed by a large body of consistent, high-quality evidence on the role of saturated fat in the development and progression of CVD; it has deleterious effects on total blood cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Moreover, there is no biological requirement for saturated fat intake.
- The 2025 DGAC’s findings reinforce the recommendation of current Dietary Guidelines to limit total saturated fat intake to less than 10 percent of calories per day starting at age 2 by replacing it with unsaturated fat, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Strong and consistent evidence demonstrates that such replacement in adults significantly reduces total and LDL-C. Substituting saturated fat with the caloric equivalent of PUFAs and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) is associated with lower CVD morbidity and mortality.
- The recommendation for reducing saturated fat intake has been affirmed by several DGACs. But this is the first DGAC to formally evaluate which foods could meaningfully displace saturated fat-containing foods for CVD risk reduction. Evidence indicates that replacing butter and plant sources (e.g., coconut oil, cocoa butter, and palm oil) higher in saturated fat with vegetable oils higher in unsaturated fat decreases LDL-C levels. Strong evidence shows that replacing butter in particular with such oils improves lipid profiles for lower CVD risk.
- Vitamin E and vitamin K are underconsumed by much of the population ages 1 year and older, especially vitamin E.
- Saturated fat is a nutrient of public health concern due to overconsumption. Per the DGAC’s chart below, more than 80 percent of the U.S. population ages 1 year and older exceeds the saturated fat limit of 10 percent of calories per day. Adolescents are at particularly high risk. By sociodemographic groups of adults, 88 percent of White, 76 percent of Black, 74 percent of Hispanic, and 54 percent of Asian adults exceed the limit for saturated fat.
Canola oil is an excellent fit with these recommendations as it is predominantly composed of unsaturated fatt, including 62% oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), and 9% and 19% of PUFAs alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6), respectively. Canola oil is mentioned in the DGAC Scientific Report’s Appendix F-1: Glossary of Terms on page 4 as a source of MUFA. (It should be added as an example of vegetable oils high in UFAs in Part D. Chapter 4: Food Sources of Saturated Fat, page 5.)
Also a good source of tocopherol (vitamin E) and vitamin K, canola oil can help Americans increase intake of these shortfall nutrients. The recommended daily intake of vitamin E is 15 mg per day for ages 14 and up and for vitamin K, 90 and 120 mcg for female and male adults aged 19 and over. Canola oil provides 2.4 mg of tocopherol and 10 mcg of vitamin K per tablespoon. It can therefore help Americans increase their intake of both of these shortfall nutrients as an affordable, everyday cooking oil.
The U.S. Canola Association will submit comments on the DGAC’s report, highlighting the composition and health benefits of canola oil. It will request that canola oil be added as an example of vegetable oils high in unsaturated fat and as a good source of tocopherol and vitamin K. It will also highlight that canola oil fits well in dietary patterns across life stages, helps reduce the risk of CVD when used in place of saturated fat, and contribute to overall health. Newly published data will be referenced as further support for these claims.
Angela Dansby is USCA director of communications.