Canadian government caves on Vegemite ban

Vegemite has returned to the menu at a cafe in Toronto after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency ruled the product could be sold in the short term.

The food authority has since decided to allow the cafe to sell the product in the short-term.

“The CFIA has requested a health risk assessment from Health Canada,” the food authority said in a statement.

“This science-based assessment has determined that the level of risk to human health from the added vitamins present in the product is low when consumed in suggested serving sizes.

“As such, the CFIA will work with the importer to allow the product to be sold in the short-term, including revised labelling, while we collaborate with Health Canada, the manufacturer, and the importer, to find a longer-term plan for Vegemite sales across Canada.

“The Government of Canada remains committed to food safety while supporting fair and reasonable access to culturally significant products.”

The development comes after a campaign to get Vegemite back on the menu, which was supported by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who described the food authority’s latest decision as “a win for Australian industry”.

“It’s also a win for those people in Canada who get to enjoy this wonderful product that is so much a part of Australian culture and indeed, Australian pride as well,” Albanese said.

“I can report after the discussions that my government has had with the Government of Canada, and I want to thank (Canadian Prime Minister) Mark Carney and his office and his team for ensuring that the Australian cafe owner Leighton Walters can once again have Vegemite back in his cafe, back on the agenda.

“Happy Easter to all those happy little Vegemites out there.”