Australian take on a British product Chemist CP Callister invented Vegemite in Melbourne in 1923 when
Vegemite (/ˈvɛdʒimaɪt/ VEJ-i-myte) is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers' yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives. It was developed by Cyril Callister in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1922.
Bega Cheese to Acquire VEGEMITE and Other Iconic Brands from Mondelēz International.
Vegemite was developed by food technologist Cyril P. Callister for the Australian company Fred Walker & Co. in 1922 and, after public competition to create a name, was first sold in 1923.
This dark brown, yeast-based spread was developed in Australia in 1923 as a local product when Marmite, imported from England, was in short supply. Vegemite was made in New Zealand for a time, and although New Zealanders eat less of it than Australians, the spread is very popular.
Production of Vegemite started in 1923 in Australia and was later made in New Zealand as well. Today it is only made in Australia but is still eaten by both Kiwis and Aussies. It is similarly revered by those that love it, leading to the age-old debate between the two camps.
Vegemite returned to Australian ownership in 2017 when purchased by dairy company Bega.
Is Vegemite Banned in the USA and Canada? No Vegemite is not banned in the US or Canada and is allowed to be purchased.
In fact, it was in 1919, when Marmite imports to Australia were disrupted by World War I, that the Fred Walker Company tasked Dr. Cyril P. Callister to develop an alternative. Originally called “Pure Vegetable Extract,” it hit the shelves as Vegemite in 1923.
Bega Cheese is an Australian owned and operated cheese company located in the beautiful Bega Valley, on the south coast of New South Wales. The company was founded as a dairy co-operative in 1899, and many of the current owners of Bega Cheese are the 100 plus dairy farmers.
Vegemite will be Australian-owned once again after Bega Cheese agreed to buy the iconic spread and other well-known brands for $460 million. Bega said today it will acquire Vegemite, ZoOSh mayonnaise and Bonox under the deal to buy most of Mondelez International's Australia and New Zealand grocery and cheese business.
In 1923, VEGEMITE spread graced the shelves of grocers Australia wide. “Delicious on sandwiches and toast, and improving the flavours of soups, stews and gravies,” was how the spread was first described and marketed.
Bega acquired the Australian division of Kraft Foods (known as Mondelez Australia), including the assets and goodwill of the business. After the purchase, Bega ran a series of advertisements letting Australian consumers know that Kraft peanut butter is now Bega peanut butter: “Same recipe, same great taste.
VEGEMITE continues to be Australia's most popular yeast spread* with more than 22 million jars of VEGEMITE manufactured every year. Australians spread about 1.2 billion serves of VEGEMITE on toast, bread or biscuits every year. If this was all placed end to end, it would go around the world three times.
Bega Cheese Limited purchased the VEGEMITE brand in 2017, returning VEGEMITE to Australian ownership for the first time in over 90 years. VEGEMITE has been proudly made in Port Melbourne, Australia since 1923.
But since Vegemite's folate is naturally occurring—brewers' yeast contains several B vitamins—it is not banned in America.
Marmite (/ˈmɑːrmaɪt/ MAR-myte) is a British savoury food spread based on yeast extract, invented by the German scientist Justus von Liebig.
Vegemite contains a notable amount of vitamin B2 (riboflavin). Studies show riboflavin may help reduce the frequency of migraines in people who experience such headaches. The niacin in Vegemite can help reduce “bad” LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which can improve heart health.
Vegemite and Marmite
If you know you'll soon be craving that bizarre salty/folic-acidy taste, you'll have to bring your own from home.
Japanese Vegemite: Natto
Natto is eaten daily and known as breakfast staple. Similar to vegemite, foreign people tend to think it tastes awful.
Irn-Bru, Marmite, Vegemite, Ovaltine contain ingredients not allowed in Canada, CFIA says.
Vegemite
One of the frequently asked questions on Vegemite's website is “How do I store Vegemite?” The answer is: Vegemite is a shelf stable product and once opened, can be stored in the cupboard or pantry right up until the best before date.