Next they're going after the Marmite

[john_childs]

Bad news for the Vegemite and Marmite fans in the US of A.

THE US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Australians for jars of the spread when they enter the country.

I’m sure Marmite will be on their list of banned items as well. That is bad news for those of us who have discovered that they actually like Marmite (or at least can eat it with a straight face).

There’s no accounting for taste

October 21, 2006 12:00am
Article from: The Sunday Times

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.

Kraft spokeswoman Joanna Scott said: "The (US) Food and Drug Administration doesn’t allow the import of Vegemite simply because the recipe does have the addition of folic acid.‘’

The US was "a minor market’’ for Vegemite, she said.

[john_childs]

And more info on this shocking development:

Happy Vegemites? We don’t think so

THE US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Aussies for jars of the spread as they enter the country.

The bizarre condiment 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 Down Under – contains folate, which under a technicality, the US allows only to be added to breads and cereals.

Australian expatriates in the US said enforcement of the ban had been gradually stepped up and was now ruining lifelong Vegemite on toast breakfast traditions.

Former Geelong man Daniel Fogarty, who now lives in Calgary, said he was stunned when searched for Vegemite while crossing the US border on a trip to Montana recently.

“The border guard searched our car and asked us if we were carrying any Vegemite,” Mr Fogarty said.

"I was flabbergasted.

“The official said Vegemite wasn’t permitted in the US.”

Paul Watkins, who owns a store called About Australia in San Antonio, Texas, said he had been forced to stop importing Vegemite six months ago.

“We have completely stopped bringing it in, which has been hard,” he said.

Mr Watkins said some companies were flouting the law by continuing to import Vegemite and hoping the shipments would not be inspected.

Marmite contains folate too (folic acid). I checked the ingredients. Bad news.

[JJuggle]

There’s going to be a run on Myers of Keswick.

[forrestunifreak]

What the heck? Is this a joke? Since when is folic acid required diet? Since when is ANYTHING required diet?

What’s marmite? Vegemite? Too many questions?

[iridemymuni]

good old US of A eh?

[forrestunifreak]

@iridemymuni

good old US of A eh?

The whole story is definitly not being told here. What does folic acid do? Does not having it in food make people sick? Or did some big wig left wing wacko decide to ban ‘vegemite’ becase he didn’t like the taste? The article says nothing about the reasoning behind the so-called ban.

[iridemymuni]

we’ve been eating it for years and we’re still fine

[john_childs]

@iridemymuni

good old US of A eh?

Yes. Fortunately Canada is close for me so I can always run to Vancouver BC or Victoria BC for a Marmite fix if needed. I’m just not sure if I’ll be able to get that jar back over the border.

[john_childs]

@forrestunifreak

The whole story is definitly not being told here. What does folic acid do? Does not having it in food make people sick? Or did some big wig left wing wacko decide to ban ‘vegemite’ becase he didn’t like the taste? The article says nothing about the reasoning behind the so-called ban.

I think it might be a labeling issue. Maybe something as simple as the label not properly telling how much folic acid or folate is in the product. Or it could be some weird technicality like the article alludes to.

The FDA web site seems to be down at the moment so I can’t check to see if they have an explanation.

Here’s some info from Wikipedia on folic acid

Conversely, in the early 2000s, the US FDA prevented the import of Vegemite from Australia, citing, as the reason, that the folic acid levels are too high. In 2005 it was impossible for Australian expatriates to buy Vegemite in jars of larger than 113 grams (4 oz.).

Although folic acid does reduce the risk of birth defects, it is only one part of the picture and should not be considered a cure. Even women taking daily folic acid supplements have been known to have children with neural tube defects.

[max_pfeifer]

im glad i dont live in the USA - what would i have for breakfast!?

[JusticeZero]

Sounds pretty typical for the U.S. really. shrugs Some bureaucrat trying to flex his penciltoughened muscle or something i’m sure.

[dan_de_man]

“Sir we’ve run ammunition for the marmite cannons”
“May god have mecy on us all”

[boo_radley]

@forrestunifreak

did some big wig left wing wacko decide to ban ‘vegemite’ becase he didn’t like the taste?

damn those left wing wackos, damn them straight to hell… they’re only doing it because they know how much the right loves vegemite.

[dan_de_man]

@boo radley

damn those left wing wackos, damn them straight to hell… they’re only doing it because they know how much the right loves vegemite.

Sig’d

[sarah.miller]

so will the canadians open up marmite bars just over the boarder where you can get quick fix of the brown stuff on toast and then return home all folated up.

[yoopers]

@forrestunifreak

What’s marmite? Vegemite? Too many questions?

Do I dare answer this? Maybe just a forum search of Marmite is in order. There is quite a Marmite history on the forums. We still have about a third of a jar left in our cupboards.

Interestingly, a similiar substance will be part of my job at the ethanol plant. There are three products that we will be producing; ethanol of course, carbon dioxide as a byproduct of the fermentation process, and Dry Distiller’s Grains (DDG) which is basically the same stuff as Marmite or Vegemite. DDG is a high protein paste or solids, depending upon its dryness, that is fed to livestock. We’ll be shipping the stuff to local markets and Japan, Taiwan, and China via the intermodal in town.

Is my job in jeopardy now? Get it while it lasts!

[JJuggle]

@boo radley

damn those left wing wackos, damn them straight to hell… they’re only doing it because they know how much the right loves vegemite.

Run for your life, forrest is right, this was a Clinton era regulation. Blowjobs and now folate. What can’t that man be blamed for?

[treepotato]

@forrestunifreak

What the heck? Is this a joke? Since when is folic acid required diet?

well it says on the packet that bran flakes contain folic acid and the cheesy families on teh back of the packet always look happy so errr maybe that cotld be a reason…?

[dan_de_man]

theres thing in NZ i rmember eating ist somthing like “brufex”
not aware of any folate in it and its like vegemite but in solid flaky form

:PING: any NZ unicyclist

[one_wheely]

Folate is the smallest ingredient in vegemite. It’s probably not all that important.