The US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Australians for jars of the spread when they enter the country.
The bizarre crackdown was prompted because Vegemite has been deemed illegal under US food laws.
The
great Aussie icon – faithfully carried around the world by travellers
from downunder – contains folate, which under a technicality, America
allows to be added only to breads and cereals.
Australian expatriates in the US said enforcement of the ban had
been gradually stepped up and was now ruining lifelong traditions of
Vegemite on toast for breakfast.
Here is the full story.
Isn’t folic acid (and folate) in food a good thing? Oh silly government…
What did the Marmite lobby know, and when did it know it?
I second that, Vegemite is disgusting.
This is a very serious and shocking thing…..as all Australians will tell you, vegemite is a sacred institution. Even Americans should be allowed to experience it. We love our vegemite, we all adore our vegemite, it puts a rose in every cheek.
Death to America
I have been able to get Marmite from specialty shops in Chapel Hill, NC. So far it has not been banned (lets just pray the madness stops).
Buying bread from a man in Brussels
He was six foot four and full of muscles
I said, “Do you speak-a my language?”
He just smiled and gave me a vegemite sandwich
In Brussels, maybe, but not in America.
This has to be a hoax. Surely even our stupid government wouldn’t ban something that is apparently good for you such as folic acid?
I’ll confess that as an American I never heard of Vegemite before. However I am tempted to start a black market in it too, much like the canadian listed above. Not to make money, but to piss off the idiots in government. C’mon, if this doesn’t make you a libertarian nothing will.
Australia should declare war over this. We’ll send both tanks.
Australians love their Vegemite so much that Kraft makes it.
The only real evidence in the story seems to be that Customs is asking Aussie tourists if they’re carrying Vegemite. PLENTY of live food products are not allowed in by casual tourists.
I love the way the anti-government echo chamber latches on to the latest rumor.
If you check the FDA web site, it tells why Vegemite is banned. Apparently none of the media have done so.
United Kingdom 084-1013637-1 47 1
Nisa International
Grimsby , GB NYK-DO
25HCT99 KRAFT VEGEMITE SANDWICH SPREAD, DOES NOT REQUIRE FCE/SID
19-JAN-2006 NEEDS FCE
NO PROCESS
That gabbledegook translates to:
Reason: NEEDS FCE
Section: 402(a)(4), 801(a)(3); ADULTERATION
Charge: It appears the manufacturer is not registered as a
low acid canned food or acidified food manufacturer pursuant
to 21 CFR 108.25(c)(1) or 108.35(c)(1).
and
Reason: NO PROCESS
Section: 402(a)(4), 801(a)(3); ADULTERATION
Charge: It appears that the manufacturer has not filed
information on its scheduled process as required by 21 CFR
108.25(c)(2) or 108.35(c)(2).
My cursory interpretation is that Kraft has not done the paperwork required. Nothing there about folate.
Now now, before you jump to any conclusions, not all Australians love Vegemite. I loathe it, first because of taste, and second because it is owned by our dear friends at Kraft/Altria. My husband keeps a jar in the pantry in defiance.
On the other hand, I bought a bunch of stuff from a US food shop in Australia yesterday, and our quarantine takes restrictions to a comical level – Big Red gum is not permitted.
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