Search icon

Life

27th Jan 2014

Yeasterday’s News: Canada bans Marmite and Irn Bru

Marmite lovers across the world have been outraged at the news that 'the other black stuff' has been taken off shelves in Canada

JOE

Marmite lovers across the world have been outraged at the news that ‘the other black stuff’ has been taken off shelves in Canada

As we all know, Canada, is the land of maple syrup, ice hockey and imported Marmite from Britain, but it seems that things are about to change in the cold blustery north. While their tag line is ‘you either love it or you hate it’, Canada has opted for the latter, as the yeast-based spread has been removed from shelves and banned.

The reason, according to what the Canadian Food Inspection Agency stated last week, was that there were “added vitamins that are not permitted under current regulations” in Marmite, and when it comes to Irn-Bru, the borderline illegal orange tint that is achieved in Scotland is flat out illegal in Canada, where the food colouring Ponceau 4R somehow has not made its way on to the approved list of food additives according to The Ottawa Citizen.

irn bru

However, the CFIA clarified their position over the weekend, stating that only the imported versions were not acceptable, and there are versions available for the Canadian market with the specific regulations in mind, which could still be sold. All of this sounds like a clear diplomatic effort to avoid all out war with Marmite and Vegemite lovers from the UK and Australia, as well as re-enactments of Braveheart-like scenes from Scottish enclaves within Toronto and Ottawa who are deprived of Irn-Bru.

A retaliatory ban on Justin Bieber is being seriously considered by David Cameron, our sources tell us.

Hat-tip to blogs.ocweekly.com and drinks.seriouseats.com for the pics