Erucic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, which is present in the oil-rich seeds of the Brassicaceae family of plants, particularly rapeseed and mustard. It mainly enters the food chain when rapeseed oil is used in industrial food processing and home cooking in some countries.

Is erucic acid harmful to humans?

High levels of erucic acid in food can impair health. The health-damaging effects of erucic acid include fatty degeneration of the heart (myocardial lipidosis), during which fats (lipids) accumulate in the heart tissue. This may result in reduced contractility of the heart muscle which may become weaker.

What oils contain erucic acid?

Erucic acid is found primarily in rapeseed oils and mustard seed oils. Rapeseed oils, and to a much lesser extent mustard seed oils, are used extensively in foods.