Happy Vegemites? We don't think so (The United States bans Vegemite)

Sunday Herald Sun ^ | 22nd October 2006 | Kelvin Healey

[naturalman1975]

THE US has banned Vegemite, even to the point of searching Aussies for jars of the spread as they enter the country.

The bizarre condiment 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 Down Under -- contains folate, which under a technicality, the US allows only to be added to breads and cereals.

Australian expatriates in the US said enforcement of the ban had been gradually stepped up and was now ruining lifelong Vegemite on toast breakfast traditions.

Former Geelong man Daniel Fogarty, who now lives in Calgary, said he was stunned when searched for Vegemite while crossing the US border on a trip to Montana recently.

"The border guard searched our car and asked us if we were carrying any Vegemite," Mr Fogarty said.

"I was flabbergasted.

"The official said Vegemite wasn't permitted in the US."

[beezdotcom]

We have a lot of really stupid laws.

Yeah, isn't there already a law on the books against Vegemy?

[I see my hands]

"he was stunned"

Enough already with everyone being stunned 10 times a day.

[Babu]

I ate the some of it, either Marmite or Vegemite, when I spent quite a bit of time in the UK when I was younger. I can eat it, but I don't miss it. It's really very very strong tasting stuff, and is definitely an acquired taste.

It comes in small bottles because a small bottle will last you a long time, and that's even if you eat the crap! :)

[Raebie]

Dear Australia,

We're doing you a favor here. Seriously.

Love,

The U.S.

[magslinger]

I see I'm not the only one who remembers Men At Work.

[Kay Ludlow]

So we have terrorists saying they are smuggling explosives into our country to kill many more that 9/11, but our border guards are instructed to ask about an confiscate vegemite???? Aaarrrrghghghgh! This kin of thing is making it harder and harder to support the republican party... (although I will in the upcoming election)

[SWAMPSNIPER]

Spam is "exquisite"! Vienna sausge ain't bad, either!

[King Moonracer]

Heh, I never knew what Vegemite was, but remembered that lyric for gosh, 20 years now.....Talk about Brain Garbage...

[mkjessup]

Funny, I saw an article just today on this (and other) subjects:

"...Like most Americans the only thing I knew about Vegemite was that it had a mention in a Men At Work song from the ‘80’s...Vegemite is, basically, a spread like peanut butter. It is common for breakfast, on toast or crackers or on bread, as a sandwich. In an effort to be as Australian as possible, I made sure we grabbed a jar on our first shopping excursion. Friends told me that it was best just to spread it on thinly. I should have recognized that being instructed to eat something in this matter, “just put a real thin spread on,” implies an imminent danger. It should have set off the alarm bells. I gave it a try and can honestly say that it is probably the vilest thing I have ever put in my mouth, and I have put some weird sh*t in my mouth over the last 33 years.

“Oh, that’s just because you haven’t grown up with it. The kids’ love it,” my Australian friends and colleagues replied.

Not my kids. You know why? Because my kids have taste buds that function properly. My kids do not like the taste of road paving materials. The only way I can think of to describe the taste is that it is like salty tar. Very salty tar. It’s just crap. I have no idea how someone can like this stuff. I suppose if you were fed belly-button lint from birth, you might acquire a taste for it. This is the only explanation I have for someone being able to enjoy Vegemite. I sent some home to my brother and told him to see if it would work as a deer bait. I’m thinking I could import it as “Deer Spread” and make a fortune during the hunting season."

Little Things on a Big Island
By Michael Kozlowski

http://www.escapeartist.com/efam/85/Little_things.html

[Alkhin]

Dittos -

GenXer MAW fan here!!!

being their fan was how I learned about Vegemite.

still havent had the guts to try it.

will stick to peanut butter instead

[LonePalm]

Think of old congealed motor oil with lots of salt.

Actually I love it on hot buttered toast spread real thin.

The signature block doesn't really apply to vegemite.

'La bonne cuisine est la base du véritable bonheur.' - Auguste Escoffier
(Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Dustbunny]

Totally weird !!!

[tob2]

Definitely ban SPAM! In all forms. And those awful cousins, Viennese sausages which come in tiny tin cans. They are pure lard as far as I'm concerned.

[I see my hands]

"Oh boy - way to antagonise one of your closest allies, people."

Perhaps they should be understanding as we are regarding the anti-USA demonstrations staged in their nation. Perhaps they should take care not to antagonize (with a "z") us, person.

#1 in a series of I'm sick of the bowing and scrapping bs the US is ever expected to do rants.

[xsmommy]

no, this is my baby's class!

[LongElegantLegs]

Foolish humans...I am nutritious, and delicious on toast.

[onyx]

LOL --- oh --- well, your babies are growing up, xs, I get them confused.

[ItsForTheChildren]

I think it's mayonaisse.

Maybe at one time. ;-)

Tried it once. I guess it's a acquired taste.

[Tax-chick]

LOL! Great adjectives there.

An acquaintance in Australia sent me some a few years ago, but I later found we could by it at the Albertson's Grocery. I thought it tasted like beef bouillon cubes that had gotten soggy because someone left the lid off the jar.

[xsmommy]

xsteen is turning 18 next week and going to be graduating from HS in the spring! xsboy is turning 15 the day after her 18th bday and is, even as we speak, on his first DATE to his HS's homecoming! xsbrownie is 12 and in 6th grade and thankfully NOT DATING!