'I stand with the Aussie cafe owner': Albanese joins global Vegemite debate
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A clash between national pride and regulatory standards has sparked an unexpected international debate.
When an Australian cafe owner in Canada was ordered to destroy thousands of dollars' worth of a beloved Aussie product, tensions quickly rose.
What seemed like a routine inspection has now turned into a larger conversation about cultural icons, food regulations, and even government support.
An Australian cafe owner in Canada found himself at the centre of a global discussion when his $8000 shipment of Vegemite was flagged for destruction.
Leighton Walters, who had opened his Australian-style cafe, Found Coffee, in Toronto in 2019, was told by Canadian authorities that his shipment of Vegemite didn't meet local food regulations.
Walters, who had proudly incorporated the iconic Australian spread into his menu, was left shocked when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) flagged the product for non-compliance.
The CFIA stated that Vegemite contained added B vitamins that weren’t approved for sale in Canada.
Walters took to social media, expressing his disbelief: 'As an Australian-Canadian citizen, I am torn and shocked to have awoken from surgery to receive a demand for destruction of our entire supply of our iconic Aussie Vegemite claiming “non-compliance” citing concerns due to added B vitamins.'
The cafe had been serving Vegemite to thousands of customers, many of whom were Australians, Canadians, and tourists looking for a taste of home.
Walters explained the personal significance of Vegemite, saying: 'I grew up as a Vegemite kid eating it for breakfast every second day.'
For Walters, the issue was more than just a regulatory problem; it was deeply personal. He has a birth defect, and he believes Vegemite’s B vitamins, particularly folate, help reduce the chances of similar conditions in babies.
Vegemite’s website lists its vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate, as essential for energy release, brain function, and nervous system support.
Despite the CFIA’s ruling, Vegemite was still available for purchase on Amazon and in select specialty stores in Canada.
Walters couldn’t help but feel that his cafe, offering a slice of home to Australians living abroad, was being unfairly targeted.
In an unusual twist, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced his support for the cafe owner, declaring during a press conference: 'I stand with the Aussie cafe owner.'
Albanese, who had previously stated he no longer eats bread for health reasons, was unequivocal about his love for Vegemite.
'I love Vegemite,' he said, adding, 'Let’s be clear here. Pro-Vegemite, anti-Marmite. That is my position.'
Walters’ case gained traction in both Australia and Canada, with the High Commission of Canada in Australia stepping in to investigate the issue.
A spokesperson for the CFIA stated: 'The Vegemite product being sold was found to have added vitamins which are not permitted in this product as per the Food and Drug Regulations and is therefore not permitted to be sold in Canada.'
Walters’ business voluntarily removed Vegemite from its menu and retail offerings, but he expressed hope that logic would ultimately prevail: 'I don’t expect Canadians to care about Vegemite, I know it’s an acquired taste, but the principle and double standard doesn’t make sense to me—it doesn’t seem right.'
In a previous story, we explored the rich history behind Vegemite and how it became a staple in Australian households.
The journey of this iconic spread might surprise you.
Be sure to check it out to learn more about the untold story of Vegemite’s origins.
With Vegemite at the centre of this international debate, do you think food regulations should be more flexible when it comes to cultural icons? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
When an Australian cafe owner in Canada was ordered to destroy thousands of dollars' worth of a beloved Aussie product, tensions quickly rose.
What seemed like a routine inspection has now turned into a larger conversation about cultural icons, food regulations, and even government support.
An Australian cafe owner in Canada found himself at the centre of a global discussion when his $8000 shipment of Vegemite was flagged for destruction.
Leighton Walters, who had opened his Australian-style cafe, Found Coffee, in Toronto in 2019, was told by Canadian authorities that his shipment of Vegemite didn't meet local food regulations.
Walters, who had proudly incorporated the iconic Australian spread into his menu, was left shocked when the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) flagged the product for non-compliance.
Aussie cafe owner challenges Canadian Vegemite ban. Image source: Julian Smith/AAP
The CFIA stated that Vegemite contained added B vitamins that weren’t approved for sale in Canada.
Walters took to social media, expressing his disbelief: 'As an Australian-Canadian citizen, I am torn and shocked to have awoken from surgery to receive a demand for destruction of our entire supply of our iconic Aussie Vegemite claiming “non-compliance” citing concerns due to added B vitamins.'
The cafe had been serving Vegemite to thousands of customers, many of whom were Australians, Canadians, and tourists looking for a taste of home.
Walters explained the personal significance of Vegemite, saying: 'I grew up as a Vegemite kid eating it for breakfast every second day.'
For Walters, the issue was more than just a regulatory problem; it was deeply personal. He has a birth defect, and he believes Vegemite’s B vitamins, particularly folate, help reduce the chances of similar conditions in babies.
Vegemite’s website lists its vitamins, including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and folate, as essential for energy release, brain function, and nervous system support.
Despite the CFIA’s ruling, Vegemite was still available for purchase on Amazon and in select specialty stores in Canada.
Walters couldn’t help but feel that his cafe, offering a slice of home to Australians living abroad, was being unfairly targeted.
In an unusual twist, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese voiced his support for the cafe owner, declaring during a press conference: 'I stand with the Aussie cafe owner.'
Albanese, who had previously stated he no longer eats bread for health reasons, was unequivocal about his love for Vegemite.
'I love Vegemite,' he said, adding, 'Let’s be clear here. Pro-Vegemite, anti-Marmite. That is my position.'
Walters’ case gained traction in both Australia and Canada, with the High Commission of Canada in Australia stepping in to investigate the issue.
A spokesperson for the CFIA stated: 'The Vegemite product being sold was found to have added vitamins which are not permitted in this product as per the Food and Drug Regulations and is therefore not permitted to be sold in Canada.'
Walters’ business voluntarily removed Vegemite from its menu and retail offerings, but he expressed hope that logic would ultimately prevail: 'I don’t expect Canadians to care about Vegemite, I know it’s an acquired taste, but the principle and double standard doesn’t make sense to me—it doesn’t seem right.'
In a previous story, we explored the rich history behind Vegemite and how it became a staple in Australian households.
The journey of this iconic spread might surprise you.
Be sure to check it out to learn more about the untold story of Vegemite’s origins.
With Vegemite at the centre of this international debate, do you think food regulations should be more flexible when it comes to cultural icons? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
