Planta is a brand of margarine produced by Unilever for Belgium, France, Malaysia and Portugal. It is made from vegetable oil: rapeseed, maize and sunflower.
History
Planta was the first margarine to be imported into Malaysia in 1930. With an estimated market share of over 50% within Malaysia, it is now a widely used ingredient in a variety of local and Malaysian style cuisines such as Chicken Rice, Roti Canai (or roti planta), roadside burgers, local coffee and a large selection of cakes, pastries and desserts.
In August 1960, tens of thousands got sick and two people from the Netherlands died eating Planta-brand margarine, with the cause directed at the use of a new additive.
It was re-branded as Brio and later as Bertolli. The name Planta was kept in other markets.