Natreon™, a naturally stable canola oil that is virtually trans fat free, is poised to become an important alternative to partially hydrogenated oils. The oil is derived from Nexera^® 800 Brand canola varieties from Dow AgroSciences and is available in the United States through Mycogen Seeds to contract growers for licensed producers of Natreon™ canola oil.

Natreon canola oil is a naturally stable oil that can be used without hydrogenation.  The process of hydrogenation creates heart-clogging, trans-fatty acids (trans fats).  Natreon has essentially none of the unhealthy trans fats associated with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and the lowest saturated fat levels of any oil on the market.

“Natreon canola oil provides consumers with a healthy and stable alternative to high trans-fat or high saturated-fat oils that are commonly used in food service and food processing,” says David Dzisiak, Oils and Oilseeds Global Leader for Dow AgroSciences. “Natreon’s benefits are a unique fit with the 2005 dietary guidelines issued earlier this month by the U.S. federal government, which call for consumers to reduce their intake of saturated fat and keep trans fats as low as possible.”

U.S. growers will benefit as well. The number of health-conscious consumers is growing rapidly worldwide.  This expanding market is pushing the food industry toward producing products that promote healthy living.  Growing demand in the consumer market in turn has processors constantly demanding oil seeds containing heart-healthier oils.  Natreon meets these demands.

“With the increased demand from processors for healthier, more stable oil products, producers can expect higher premiums for Natreon canola oil, ultimately improving their bottom line,” said Keith Porter, Marketing Specialist, Mycogen Seeds.  “Natreon canola oil gives growers a way to maintain profitable production while meeting the demands of a health-conscious consumer market.”

Mycogen Seeds is offering two Nexera 800 Brand canola varieties, Nex 824 CL and Nex 830 CL, for the 2005 growing season.  Nex 824 CL is a medium-height variety that features good standability, good early season vigor and adaptability to mid- and long-season zones.  Nex 830 CL is a medium-tall-height variety, which also has good early season vigor, very good standability and adaptability to mid- and long-season zones.

The new Nexera canola varieties exhibit exceptional yield and solid agronomic traits, including an “R” rating for blackleg resistance.  In addition, Nexera canola varieties have CLEARFIELD^® technology, which makes them tolerant to Beyond^™ herbicide for broad-spectrum grass and broadleaf weed control.  Nexera canola is available to contract growers for licensed producers of Natreon canola oil.  Natreon was developed by conventional plant breeding techniques and is a non-genetically modified product.

Dow AgroSciences Prevails in Natreon Dispute

Dow AgroSciences LLC recently won the second of two U.S. Patent and Trademark disputes initiated by Cargill, Inc. concerning healthy canola oils.  The rulings determined that
Dow AgroSciences was the first to invent the high oleic and low linoleic canola oil profile and is
the only company that can exclusively produce the oil.

“This ruling upholds our healthy oil patent position for Natreon™ canola oil, currently being marketed in North America, Japan and in other countries,” says Pete Siggelko, vice president, Plant Genetics and Biotechnology for Dow AgroSciences.

The recent ruling is one of two interference proceedings initiated by Cargill, Inc. against Dow AgroSciences. Together, the two rulings deny all of Cargill’s actions pending before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office against Dow AgroSciences.       

Mycogen Seeds is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC.  Mycogen Seeds is the leader in Silage-Specific^™ corn, the largest sunflower seed producer, and a leading producer of seed corn, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum. 

^®™Mycogen, the Mycogen M Logo and Silage-Specific are trademarks of Mycogen Corporation.
^®™Natreon and Nexera are trademarks of Dow AgroSciences LLC.
^®™CLEARFIELD and Beyond are trademarks of BASF Corporation.
©2005 Mycogen Seeds. Mycogen Seeds is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC.