Member Article

US crackdown on Vegemite

Reports that U.S. customs agents are searching people from Australia and New Zealand for Vegemite have created concern among antipodean expatriates living in America.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has long prohibited imports of Vegemite because it contains folate, a B vitamin approved as an additive for just a few foods. Until recently there was no difficulty bringing in a few jars for personal use, but weekend news stories from Australian and New Zealand media, reported on Reuters, said some people had been searched or asked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents if they were carrying Vegemite.

“Vegemite made me the man I am today,” said Brad Blanks, a reporter with a New York breakfast radio show. “In Australia the slogan is that Vegemite puts a rose in every cheek; but today America has slapped the cheek of every Australian.”

It is unknown whether the FDA searches will extend to UK expatriates bringing in Marmite.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .