Anthony Albanese has claimed victory in Australia’s “Vegemite-gate” trade stoush with Canada, which has relented and allowed a Toronto-based cafe owner to sell the spread after initially ruling it did not comply with local food laws.
Speaking at a press conference in Sydney on Saturday morning, holding up a jar of Vegemite, the prime minister declared he had achieved a “win for Australian industry” after his government’s discussions with the Canadian government.
On Friday the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said in a statement that it had ordered a health risk assessment from Health Canada on Vegemite, which was being sold in jars and on toast at Found Coffee – a chain of Australian-inspired cafes in Canada.