A seemingly simple jar of Vegemite has ignited a mini trade dispute between Australia and Canada.
An Australian-Canadian cafe owner was ordered from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to remove Vegemite from its menu and shelves as it was non-compliant with local health regulations.
Leighton Walters shared his shock on Instagram, which has since gained traction around the world.
Here’s why Mr Walters’ Vegemite shipment didn’t meet Canadian health requirements and what happens next.
Is Vegemite banned in Canada?
According to the CFIA, Vegemite is not banned from Canada.
However, the reason the product was pulled from the cafe’s menu is because the yeast-based spread was “found to have added vitamins”, which goes against Canadian food regulations.
The specific vitamin in question was vitamin B.
Only certain products are permitted to be enriched with vitamins under Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations, including cereals, certain milks, salt, pasta and white flour.
Spreads and condiments are not included on the list.
The CFIA told Canadian media outlet CBC that the “formulation sold at the cafe does not meet Canadian requirements established by Health Canada”.
“The Vegemite product being sold was found to have added vitamins which are not permitted in this product as per the Food and Drug Regulations and is therefore not permitted to be sold in Canada,” a spokesperson said.
All Vegemite products are fortified with vitamin B, suggesting none should be sold in Canada.
However, in a video posted to his company’s Instagram account, Mr Walters said the famous spread is still available to purchase at places including major grocery stores and online at Amazon Canada.
Bega, which owns Vegemite, said in a statement that the company was “limited” in its ability to change the CFIA’s decision.
“After looking into it, we can confirm we do not currently export Vegemite to Canada for sale within Canada,” they said.
“As such, we’re not directly involved in or across the specific import regulations that apply — including those set by the CFIA.”
Experts say nothing unsafe about Vegemite
The ingredients listed on the back of a Vegemite jar are:
- Yeast extract
- Salt
- Malt extract
- Colour
- Flavours
- Niacin
- Thiamine
- Riboflavin
- Folate
Under Canada’s food regulations, spreads and condiments cannot be sold with added vitamins to ensure Canadians are not exceeding their daily diet requirements.
However, Mr Walters argued the Vitamin B content in Vegemite was “mostly naturally occurring and incredibly good for you”.
“As someone born with a birth defect, this is deeply personal,” he said.
“Vegemite is high in B vitamins and folate, that helps minimise the likelihood of babies being born with conditions like mine and living through the pain my family and I have throughout my life so far.”
Mr Walters was born with spina bifida, a birth defect that affects the development of a fetus’ spine during pregnancy and can cause paralysis, scoliosis and neurological problems.
According to Health Direct, the recommended dietary intake of B3 (Niacin) is 16 milligrams for men and 14 milligrams for women, with the upper level at 35 milligrams a day.
With 2.5 milligrams of B3 per teaspoon of Vegemite, someone would have to eat 14 teaspoons — or one-third of a cup — of the spread to reach the upper threshold.
Vitamin B levels in Vegemite versus average dietary intake
But wait, why does Marmite get an exemption?
Marmite, a similar yeast-based spread produced in the UK, is also fortified with vitamins but is deemed compliant by the CFIA.
Mr Walters said he was “absolutely floored” by the agency’s apparent double-standard.
In fact, in 2020, the CFIA issued a statement clarifying that Marmite was not banned for sale in Canada after a shipment was mistakenly rejected.
“These products have been available on Canadian store shelves for more than a decade and will continue to be sold in stores across Canada,” the statement read.
What happens next?
Speaking with ABC News Breakfast, Mr Walters said he took the Vegemite off his shelves and menu to avoid any penalties.
But he is going to try his best to push back on the decision.
“Pulling Vegemite off our shelves hits at the core and the heart of our brand,” he said.
“This is now a huge battle that I really didn’t want to fight for the sake of $8,000 worth of Vegemite that we have left, but I want to fight for my business, I want to fight for being true to who we are and who I am.”
Mr Walters has also spoken to Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and has had the backing from a number of Australian expats in Canada.
Vegemite’s long-standing cultural significance even prompted Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to weigh in.
“I stand with the Aussie cafe owner,” Mr Albanese said in a press conference.
“I did hear the report on that, and it’s rather odd they’re letting Marmite in which is rubbish frankly.
“Pro-Vegemite, anti-Marmite, that’s my position.”
Marmite rules