Rape and colza are traditional names for Brassica napus and related species grown for oil. 'Canola' is a specific quality designation — developed in Canada — referring to varieties bred to contain less than 2% erucic acid in the oil and low glucosinolates in the meal. All canola is rapeseed, but not all rapeseed meets canola specifications. Trade contracts typically specify the applicable quality standard, and the distinction matters for end-use suitability in food-grade oil production.

The majority of North American canola production is from genetically modified herbicide-tolerant varieties. Buyers in markets with GMO labeling or approval requirements — including certain export destinations — require documentation of the specific biotech events present in a shipment. Even for US domestic trade, identity-preserved non-GMO canola commands a premium and requires segregation and documentation throughout the supply chain to maintain certification integrity.