FDA Bans Vegemite

On behalf of my fellow Australians, may I say that this ban is bizarre - just bizarre!

I'm still trying to wrap my head around that. A lot of the flour we buy here has added folic acid, so I think a ton of our cookies, crackers, and cakes would be banned in the US too.

No, cookies, crackers, and cakes are fine. After all bread is permitted to have folic acid.

I do believe it's time for me to write an irate consumer letter to the FDA. With all the hoopla about it being necessary for all women to have folic acid "even if you don't think you'll get pregnant soon" it is just plain irresponsible to ban any product fortified with B vitamins.

Does anyone know why this ban on products that contain folic acid exists?

I think there's probably a "rest of the story" here. The Australian paper is probably playing it for the sensationalistic aspects, and the Vegemite company may be playing along for the publicity. The issue may be so-called identity standards and may only requrie a labeling change. Or the distributor was incompetent and didn't file the right papers with the FDA or the USDA to change the identity standard.

Wolfgang Puck once tried to sell pizzas without tomato sauce, and his disbributors hadn't checked the identity standard, so they were blocked. The USDA routinely and immediately changed the identity standard to allow the pizzas when petitioned, but the distributor ought to have checked and filed the papers sooner to avoid delays.

Okay, a quick trip to Wikipedia explains it. Folic acid is added to bread, etc., in the U.S. to help prevent some birth defects. It's a public health measure like adding flouride to water, iodine to salt, and calcium to orange juice.

But too much folic acid can have some negative health effects (such as heart problems). So the U.S. needed to carefully consider the average amount of various foods eaten by the average American, and the high/lows also, and regulate exactly how much folic acid should be added to what foods to assure that msot people wouldn't under- or overdose. Other countries have done the same thing, Europe is more restrictive than the U.S., and there is still a bit of controversy over whether it's a good idea in the first place.

So you can't just go adding folic acid to foods without petitioning the FDA for approval. Since virtually nobody eats Vegemite in the U.S., it should be a dunk shot with quick approval -- but the distributor does have to file the petition with the FDA. But it probably doesn't help that they put out a press release first.

That's just bizarre.

This is the most bizarre thing I've ever seen. What a strange technicality. But, I suppose...you can never predict what the FDA will do sometimes. Why don't they just classify Vegemite as an honorary "grain" product? What about fortified drink mix...like Ovaltine? Doesn't that have folate in it? It's not a grain or cereal, right? I can see monitoring LEVELS of folate to prevent excesses in the diet, but banning certain groups of food is ridiculous. Not that I am a huge Vegemite fan, but hey, some people really like it.

I am not just saying this because I am an Aussie and I love my Vege toast(indeed it is an institution!)- but this is the final straw. The world has indeed gone mad. MAD I tell you!!

Now that Mark has explained the reason for the ban, it's even more ridiculous: because Vegemite is so strongly flavoured you just can't eat too much of it.

Don't be so sure of that - I have been known to eat marmite straight out of the jar with a teaspoon at certain times of the month!

(It seems to help me with period pain, if you must know...)

It's an outrage that vegemite is banned. Please consider signing my petition at www.savevegemite.com and help get our favourite Aussie icon unbanned.
WE ARE NOT HAPPY LITTLE VEGEMITES!!!!

ok- I will admit that I hate both Vegemit and Marmite... but seriously?
I agree that it's doubtful anyone would overdose on Vegemite, so the whole "monitoring/banning due to carefully controlled levels of folic acid" thing is insane. Americans are more likely to die from a Toast overdose if you ask me.
I may not like it, but obviously there are people who do, and they should be allowed to eat it when they please. I mean for petes sake! It's a SPREAD!!

I don't get this ban either, Fine I can agree that eating too much Folic Acid could be bad for you but if that is the case then why do they see fit to shove it down our throats? They put Folic Acid in everything but one spread that maybe one quarter of the US population may or may not use? I guess it really does come down to how much money certain lobby groups can use to persuade the FDA. Pharma companies routinely put out drugs that may or may not be safe with the majority of the population. So good on you Jim for posting this. But it is just like when I go through security at an airport and they take away my toothpaste. Missing the big picture is what the people in charge seem to do best.

This ban is just plain stupid. Who makes these decisions?? Folic acid is an essential part of our diet, ESPECIALY pregnant women. So the plan is to give kids more crap food and take away the good choices? Nice move.

Yes, I'm sure that the people eating 2 packs of cookies or 6 doughnuts made with folic acid in a row are *not* gonna overdose on it, now that we can make sure they are not putting any dangerous Vegemite on their bread.

That is truly amazing. Almost as bad as banning stevia...

And as a kiwi gal I love my Vegemite too. I will link to this post on my blog...

It's sounds silly due to it being an urban myth
http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/vegemite.asp

The variance in reports seems to stem from a confusion over the difference between importation for commercial use and importation for personal use.

While Kraft has apparently stopped providing Vegemite to U.S. retailers while the issue over folate is resolved, the FDA says that travellers are still free to bring Vegemite into the U.S. for personal use:
Kraft will fight for the right to resume importing Vegemite to the US after the country reconsidered its restriction on the famous spread.

The US Food and Drug Administration said that travellers carrying Vegemite would not be stopped, in response to revelations in the Herald Sun that Australians had been searched for the sandwich spread at the US-Canadian border.

While travellers are in the clear to pack their traditional breakfast fare, Kraft has not yet been given a green light to export Vegemite to the US, Kraft spokeswoman Joanna Scott said.

However, the American-owned company is in talks to end the deadlock, which has resulted in many stores in the US being unable to source supplies.

According to Kraft, the crackdown on Vegemite was prompted because it contains folate, which the US allows to be added only to breads and cereals.

The FDA have come out in the press and have denied the story - This blog even posted an update on the 6th October tell you all that they had denied it - But yet you all still complain how outrageous it is....I would agree....If it were only true :-)

Anthony, I think Jim made a typo and meant Nov. 06th. Since the original post was Oct. 23 and he does not have the ability to reverse time. Notice how there are no "complaints" about it dated after Nov. 06th, only your post, mine, and an informative one by Sky.

So yes, we are morons, all "complaining" about it after the update. At least we know how to read the date on the original post.

Yep Vegemite,s dangerous alright, so dangerous it has be deemed responsible for Australian children growing up to be some of the worlds best Swimmers, Middle distance runners Tennis players, Rugby players, Cricketers and by 'Crikey' the worlds most energetic naturalist and conservationist (in a country of 20 million)
Alas..what Australia might have achieved if only it had the 32oz Big Gulp to wash down those White Castle burgers.
Oh! I forgot those pesky Aussie kids who grew up on Vegemite finished way better in the Soccer World Cup than the Pancakes and Frosted Flakes kids...AKA....USA Soccer team.

Born and raised in the US and I love Vegemite. It's the best way to start the day. Toast some bread put a little butter and then smear some vegemite and you're good to go. LOVE IT!

But hey... lets make sure cigerettes are available... they are much safer than folic acid.

YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!!!!

I have been eating vegemite since 1960 ,when "they" sold out I stopped, then some one gave me some miso to taste, "BETTER THAN GOOD" MY GREAT GRAND KIDS HAVE ALL BEEN WEANED, "see grandad is not crazy at 80"

Vegemite should be Australian Owned
AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI
The reason America don't like Vegemite because they spread it on like Peanut butter TOO much, it is full of Vitamin D so spread a small amount AFTER you spread the butter on it.

Well, I grew up on the stuff. I've been here 28 years and thought the only way to get it was aa $1,500 trip home but bought it on this site yesterday for $41.00.
Wow, I am a happy little vegimite

If anyone knows WHERE I can purchase vegimite in the States and NOT have to order it via internet, please email me at Ema444@hotmail.com I was just wondering if we sell it in any major supermarket chains here yet. Thanks so much.