ljplicease | Vegemite (Reply)

note: for the duration of this entry I will pretend that I am not an American, because that is the only way I could possibly live with myself. I was born an Australian, and still hold Australian citizenship.

Amanda alerted me to the news that the Americans have declared war on Vegemite. Apparently, the cultural imperialists have decided that you can have folate in bread, but not on it. I can sort of understand having a policy banning the commercial import and sale of something; I don’t agree with it in this case, because there doesn’t seem to be a good reason aside from allowing Uncle Sam to turn into a nagging nanny(state). However, according to media reports, Australians entering the states have been searched and had jars of Vegemite intended for personal use confiscated. Other reports have been less consistent. Some say that Vegemite is still being sold in speciality stores in the states, others say the opposite and point out that an on-line retailer of Australian foods in America have ceased sale of Vegemite, some have openly speculated that whole story is a hoax.

I for one hope that it is a hoax, because all though I don’t live in America anymore, the idea not having Vegemite is just too horrible to contemplate. I don’t actually eat all that often, but when I do, it is deeply satisfying, and for my 25 years in the states, it was one of the few Australian things that I had to remind me of home. I sometimes use Vegemite for medicinal purposes: when I have a bad headache or an upset tummy, nothing helps more than a few slices of toast with Vegemite!

The last time they did something like this, Clinton banned Australian lamb. That was an insult, but at least Aussie expats could still have New Zealand lamb, which is arguably just as good. One of the few good things his successor did was lift the ban.

So of course the first thing I did when I got home was have some toast and Vegemite.