It is difficult to obtain beyond Australia than the center of Toronto, so for a double citizen like Leighton Walters, the fastest way to be transported home is to give a vegemite bite in toast.
The yeast extension, made of the byproduct of beer production, is difficult to find in Canada, but back in the country of origin of Walters, it is part of the national fabric. For five years, he says that he has been importing bottles of things to offer Found Coffee, his chain of coffees inspired by Australia in Toronto.
Until recently, the coffee found sold Vegemite bottles directly to customers, who could also ask for vegemite in toast or cakes with baked spread.
“I grew up as a Vegemite boy … eating it for breakfast every day,” Walters told CBC Toronto. “It is an iconic Australian product … We have been very proud to serve thousands and tens of thousands of Australians, Canadians, travelers and tourists.”
But earlier this year, Canadian regulators marked their last shipment of Vegemite, which only occurs in Australia. After the inspection, they told Walters that he would have to pull the article. The reason behind the decision has left Walters, and the local community of expatriates that buys their imports, frustrated and confused.
“Taking Vegemite from our shelves hits the center and heart of our brand,” he said.
“It would be similar to a Canadian entrepreneur who moved to Australia, began an incredible poutine store and then bring this beautiful unique high -quality Arce syrup of Canada, and then the Australian government turned around and saying:” No, you can’t serve that maple syrup because the trees were not in a controlled environment when they were beaten “or” They are too sweet. “
It also puts approximately $ 8,000 in Vegemite, which Walters has already paid, in danger.
The food authority says that import is not to Canadian standards
The emails provided to CBC Toronto by Walters show that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) told him in January that Vegemite’s lot did not comply with the regulations of Health Canada.
“It was discovered that the vegemite product sold has added vitamins that are not allowed in this product according to food and medication regulations and, therefore, it is not allowed to be sold in Canada,” said a spokesman for the CFIA to CBC Toronto in an email.
“As a result, the coffee was informed of the breach and voluntarily eliminated the product of its menu and retail offers.”
Some products, such as cereals, white flour and certain juices and milks, can be sold with added vitamins under the food and drug regulations of Canada, but propagations and condiments are not included in The list.
All Vegemite products are fortified with vitamin B, according to the product website, suggesting that Vegemite products should not be sold in Canada.
“It is a manufacturer’s decision if you want to produce and sell a Vegemite product in Canada that meets Canadian requirements,” said a spokesman for the CFIA in an email.
“The CFIA does not currently know any vegemite product that occurs to sell in Canada in accordance with Canada Food and drug regulations ” It was added.
However, that is not the case. It is still available to buy in specialized retailers throughout the country and is sold online by Amazon Canada. CFIA confirmed in his email that Vegemite is not prohibited in Canada.
CBC Toronto continued with CFIA for clarification about why Vegemite is generally allowed for sale despite seeming to contradict regulations, but did not receive an answer before the publication.
Walters points out that Marite, a similar propagation made in the United Kingdom that has also added vitamins, was explicitly considered a legal product for the importation of CFIA in 2020After a shipment was error that year.
But a Health Canada spokesman said in an email that the addition of vitamins is limited to certain foods “to help ensure that Canadians obtain sufficient but not excessive amounts of certain nutrients in their diet.”
“Some food manufacturers choose to produce import products that comply with Canadian regulations so that they can be legally sold in Canada,” said spokeswoman Tarlaine Sleiman. She said Vegemite sold in Canada must be altered to comply with the regulations.
Walters says that regulations are personal for him for another reason. Suffers from spina bifida, and The investigation suggests That folate, a type of vitamin B that is added to Vegemite, taken during pregnancy reduces the risk that a child is born with the condition. In fact, he spoke with CBC Toronto from his hospital room, where he is recovering from surgery, his 65th admission to the hospital.
“For some Vegemite is Vegemite, but for me it is more about trying to make sure I don’t have to go through what I have happened with my life,” he said.
Question of Australian expatriates Cfia, they say that Vegemite is a basic food
Walters says he decided to get Vegemite out of his shelves to avoid any penalty while fighting the decision. He also communicated with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission for help.
Meanwhile, many Australian expatriates among the Walters clientele have recovered coffee found to question the CFIA.
Ray Wood, who was born in Melbourne, but has lived in Ontario since 2008, says that Walters’ history has been making rounds in Facebook’s local Facebook groups of Facebook, obtaining the indignation and support of other transplants.
He said he was baffled to know that Vegemite was not up to the Canadian regulations and communicated with Walters immediately.
“What the hell is happening? Vegemite is an National Australian icon,” Wood said. “How could it be threatened suddenly?”
He said that the Australians in the group are trying to run their voice and ask why the Walters chain is being attacked, hoping that the decision will be revoked.
“Why would the Canadian food authorities release a store when the product is available everywhere, as well as very similar products?” Wood said.
Keane Scheffel, who is also originally from Melbourne and Frequents found coffee on his morning trip, says he can’t understand what he is trying to protect Canadians.
“I don’t see why it should be a problem,” he said. “There is no need to stop it. It is something that the Australians have eaten for a long time, a long time.”
He says he has enough Vegemite to last for a while and is not worried about running in the short term, but is worried about the blow that this could assume the Walters business.
“I just hope Leighton and Found’s people can get a resolution,” he said. “It’s disconcerting.”
