While one may be concerned with North Korea testing nuclear weapons and the U.S. is understandably concerned with North Korea selling and smuggling nuclear materials to terrorists, there is also the concern of important people in the U.S. about the dangers of vegemite proliferation since border agents — protecting America — have had to protect the U.S. from such danger:
. . . Former Geelong man Daniel Fogarty, who now lives in Calgary, Canada, said he was stunned when searched while crossing the US border recently. “The border guard asked us if we were carrying any Vegemite,” Mr Fogarty said.
Apparently there is a ban on any food — other than bread or cereal — that contains folates, in the U.S.
Naturally, the Korean pennsula seems to be folate-free and though Japan has the ability to produce them, they seem to be folate-free as well. I only hope that the North Koreans do not start producing folates as well since this could further increase tensions in Asia and further distract Americans from the real dangers at home.
14 Comments
if only someone could do for mad cow disease what genesis did for giant hogweed…
Vegemite should be listed as a WMD—I have no idea how the hell Australians eat that stuff.
The funny thing about the U.S. ban is that Vegemite is owned by an American company, Kraft Foods.
Looks like a pretext to tighten the control at the Canadian-American border.
For those who are wondering, here’s a nonofficial web site (a web search will turn up several to include an official company one). However, I found this one suitably comprehensive for total ignoramuses such as myself:
http://whatscookingamerica.net.....istory.htm
Actually I have a vague memory of hearing the name before, in a somewhat derogatory context. This web site says it was a standard part of Aussie field rations in WWII, so maybe I encountered it in South Pacific WWII history (ie American troops wrinkling their noses over it).
So what’s the modern Aussie method to wash it down? On toast with tea, or maybe a Fosters with a sandwich?(that sounds like fair dinkum). See picture at http://www.australianbeers.com.....dinkum.htm
First web site says it’s now only 8% salt instead of 10%, could be that’s made all the difference. See the quote (”…it’s an acquired taste…”)
marmot,
you have to know how to eat it. on toast spread thinly its great. its pretty strong so you can’t have it thick which i think is where a lot of foreignors go wrong.
I wondered if somebody was pulling the Courier Mail’s leg, but evidently not. Nothing found in a search of US Border and Customs web site, but US FDA (Federal Drug Administration) site shows the following:
This is the cached copy of http://www.fda.gov/ora/oasis/1/ora_oasis_i_25.html.
Refusal Actions by FDA as Recorded in OASIS
Country of Origin Entry # DOC Line Suffix
Manufacture Name
City / ISO Country Code District
Product Code Product Description
Date Reason
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
1) Violation Code Translation:
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).
2) Violation charge code ‘NEEDS FCE’ :
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).
Note that the US FDA is calling this a UK product! Surely to Aussies, this is the unkindest cut of all.
Right, you rotten yanks will feel the wrath when I urge fellow Aussies to boycott Reese Peanut Butter Cups! Die imperialist scum!
Ah! And there is the answer - red tape! Aussies - the best thing you can do is:
Option 1:
Contact Kraft - ask them go through and meet FDA standards and regulations.
The FDA is in place in the USA to help (try) to protect the citizens against dangerous medicines and consumable products. They also verify wether a product is able to do “what it does” (see medicines). It may seem silly but without them, citizens are more likely to encounter “bad health risks” from porducts. The government would rather save lives and prevent lawsuits (so it protects the companies who make these products too) by forcing companies to take this veritable “hurdle”.
Option 2:
If you are a US citizen or a naturalized (former Aussie) citizen - one can contact their representative and FORCE the issue to be resolved/acted upon. politicians in many states would like to keep their constiuants happy and if approached as such, “FORCE KRAFT to comply with FDA regulations on Vegemite!” - poloticians can use the media campaign as a scenario where he/she stands up for the protection of the “common man” vs. the “big bad companies” who may wish to harm them. We all know the result would be the politician gets higher poll numbers - and KRAFT will get Vegemite legalized.
Hey, Reese Peanut Butter Cups are good!
I used to think so but nowadays government agencies are largely staffed by industry insiders who promote the marketplace over safety more often than ever. Just try a google search on the various departments, i.e., USDA, FDA, etc. and one can see a pattern of abuse. (No one seems to know about the reported case of mad cow in Alabama in March of this year either.)
lazy,
i doubt if anyone will bother. really when it comes down to it its the americans that are missing out and who really cares anyway.
but thanks for the suggestions anyway.
Robert,
Personally I think they are the most horrendous variety of candy available. But different strokes, for different folks.
Vegemite is much better for you anyway
Ah yes, sitting on the veranda at the Palm Courts in Noosa, sipping tea and milk, and crunching down on toasted wheat bread with Vegemite. Eat you hearts out, Bloody Yanks!
Sorry, been imbibing too much vegemite lately. Great stuff!
If from the UK it likely was Marmite. We all know that Vegemite is just a pale imitation.
Marmite! It’s good on ya!