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Save us from vegemite
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.
Posted by Tyler Cowen on October 23, 2006 at 05:41 AM in Food and Drink | Permalink
Comments
Isn't folic acid (and folate) in food a good thing? Oh silly government...
Posted by: The Tsunami at Oct 23, 2006 7:50:30 AM
If there was ever a case for paternalism, this is it. Vegimite sucks.
Posted by: josh at Oct 23, 2006 8:26:50 AM
What did the Marmite lobby know, and when did it know it?
Posted by: Rich at Oct 23, 2006 8:41:37 AM
As a lover of liberty? How disappointing.
As a hater of Vegemite? Eh, I was already not buying the stuff.
Posted by: hamilton at Oct 23, 2006 8:59:44 AM
I second that, Vegemite is disgusting.
Posted by: John Hall at Oct 23, 2006 9:09:26 AM
Perhaps this is a ploy to drive away Aussie illegal immigrants. . .
Posted by: Matthew Cromer at Oct 23, 2006 9:15:19 AM
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.
Posted by: Megan Hevron at Oct 23, 2006 9:15:41 AM
I guess we must've won the War on Terror and the War on Drugs if the customs and enforcement people have time for this, right? Right? Oh.
Posted by: Timothy at Oct 23, 2006 9:53:04 AM
Death to America
Posted by: smithy at Oct 23, 2006 10:05:28 AM
Well, I WAS wondering WHERE it went.
I found a jar of Borvil on the shelf the
other day at my local supermarket.
Anyone know if Marmite is available?
Posted by: Red Crayon at Oct 23, 2006 10:15:35 AM
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).
Posted by: Darin London at Oct 23, 2006 10:24:32 AM
And why do we ban folate from being in other foods exactly? I mean, even under the premise that folate should be required in cereals or something (to prevent birth defects / prematurity / miscarriage by nannying new mothers and those unaware of their pregancy status), why must it be banned in other foods? Is it that dangerous? What if the health nuts want to put it in whole wheat pasta or whatever? Or is it ... the B6 union lobby ... da da da dum...
Posted by: buddingeconomist at Oct 23, 2006 10:30:22 AM
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.
Posted by: Peter at Oct 23, 2006 10:50:22 AM
I find myself in a quandary. On the one hand I don't really agree with our hosts about how efficient and powerful markets are. On the other hand I find myself tempted to load up boxes full of vegemite here in Ontario and drive the two hours to the border and sell them. Any Aussie-philes in the Detroit or Buffalo areas interested in converting a market-sceptic to a market enthusiast, you know who to call....
Posted by: tom s. at Oct 23, 2006 10:51:36 AM
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.
Posted by: happyjuggler0 at Oct 23, 2006 11:21:44 AM
I put a call into the Kraft Press Office. I'll let you know what they say: unfortunately it's earnings day today so it may not be a swift answer.
Posted by: Tim Worstall at Oct 23, 2006 12:31:48 PM
Australia should declare war over this. We'll send both tanks.
Posted by: Walter at Oct 23, 2006 1:44:25 PM
That stuff is just nasty.
Posted by: Sandy P at Oct 23, 2006 3:07:58 PM
Australians love their Vegemite so much that Kraft makes it.
Posted by: John Hall at Oct 23, 2006 3:28:59 PM
Umm, are we sure this isn't a case of:
1) Vegemite contains vegetable extracts and live yeast cultures, so
2) Tourists aren't allowed to bring it in, just like fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fungus?
I've certainly still seen it for sale. Can someone please verify that this isn't just a case of Customs realizing that Australians like to bring in Vegemite, and that Vegemite, due to its live yeast cultures and vegetable extracts, isn't permitted without the sort of quarantines that importers use?
Posted by: John Thacker at Oct 23, 2006 5:56:49 PM
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.
Posted by: John Thacker at Oct 23, 2006 5:58:16 PM
I'm betting this article is a mashup of truth and rumor. What I saw, after poking around the internet
(http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/008118.html#148197)
is that:
1. True- there are FDA rules against adding folic acid as a supplement to foods other than breads and cereals. Their rational is that too much can mask vitamin B12 deficiency, or can interfere with medicines. (Too little causes neural tube birth defects like spinal bifida or anencephaly, the FDA's stated reason for requiring it in breads and cereals. About 3,000 babies are born with NTDs each year in the US: over half of these are caused by folic acid deficiency.)
2. True- Australian tourists had vegemite confiscated...but, the cause was having it in carry-on luggage. One wouldn't be able to carry peanut butter, either.
3. True- as of early 2006 a UK company cannot export it to the US, because the FDA says they aren't meeting labeling and other requirements.
4. I'm guessing false- that US customs specifically searches Australian tourists for vegemite outside of carry-on restrictions.
Posted by: Kathryn from Sunnyvale at Oct 23, 2006 8:45:46 PM
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.
Posted by: Mike Huben at Oct 23, 2006 8:53:09 PM
I'm not sure that that FDA page does answer our questions about this story. It would appear to deal not with Vegemite per se, nor even with its manufacturer (Kraft), but rather with one export application by a major UK wholesale grocer (Nisa International).
Posted by: David at Oct 23, 2006 11:16:20 PM
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.
Posted by: Fiona at Oct 24, 2006 1:51:55 AM
Of course you know, this means war.
Posted by: Tim at Oct 24, 2006 11:56:03 PM
