Flora (spread)
Flora is a brand of buttery spread, sold in the United Kingdom, Czechia, Slovakia, Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, New Zealand, and Australia. It is produced by Upfield (except in southern Africa where it is produced by Siqalo Foods), and sold in other parts of the world under the brand name of Becel. The original manufacturer Unilever came up with the brand after being asked by medical professionals to develop a healthier alternative to margarine, lard and hard butters. Marketed health benefits. Upfield markets Flora as containing "a blend  of healthy fats" including omega-3, omega-6 oils and vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid". The Flora "pro.activ" Cholesterol reducing product contains plant sterols which block (up to 40%) the absorption of cholesterol into the blood stream. Upfield also claims Flora contains very little trans-fat and no hydrogenated oils, both of which have been proven to have major health implications. Nutritional information. Flora Light: Typical Values Per 100g: Energy 1459kJ/354kcal.Protein 0.1g. Carbohydrate 2.8g,-of which sugars trace. Fat 38.0g; of which saturates 9.3g, monounsaturates 9.3g, polyunsaturates 19.0g. Environmental consequences. Flora contents includes palm oil . The global demand for palm oil is blamed for the loss of tropical hardwood forests which are being cleared for palm oil plantations. This clearance leads to the destruction of orangutan habitat in places such as Borneo and Sumatra. Some food manufacturers have attempted to source sustainable sources of palm oil but these are too few in number and account for about 1% of production. Flora has stated on its website that they are concerned about the environmental consequence of its use of palm oil and has vowed to continue procuring all its palm oil from certified sustainable sources. Original  formulation. Flora was invented by a Lever Bros scientific development team headed by Terence O'Neill. It was originally a partially hydrogenated sunflower oil-based spread, different from the current preparation. Origins of the name "Flora". Flora was originally named after the wife of one of Unilever's marketing directors, Louis Flora Catlow. She died on 24 June 2009. London Marathon. Flora were the primary sponsors of the London Marathon from 1996 to 2009. In 2010, the sponsorship was taken over by Virgin Money. Type of product. Flora is often incorrectly referred to as a margarine. It is, however, officially classified  as a spread.