Australian expats in the United States were pissed when Vegemite, the salty sandwich spread Australians regard as a national cultural icon, was banned from these shores. Now nannies Down Under would like to ban — or tax — Vegemite over there, too.
[Australian Food and Grocery Council] director for health, nutrition and scientific affairs Geoffrey Annison said food such as Vegemite, which is high in salt, could be among the casualties if food content were regulated. "Vegemite without salt is not Vegemite," he said. Sugar-rich preserves and jams, and even high-fat products such as soft cheeses and cooking oils, could be banned for health reasons, Dr Annison warned.
I'd rather eat bat turds in owl puke myself, but that's the point. Why not let adults make up their own minds about what they like to put into their mouths? It was just a few short years ago that libertarian-minded types were ridiculed when we warned that health fascists, having successfully squeezed smokers, would soon be attempting to tax and regulate potato chips, Twinkies, and cola. And yet, that's precisely what's happening.
Talk about dense.
Decline to speak up, and soon enough experts in white coats will show up to take away your favorite foodstuffs, too.
In my day children were encouraged to eat vegemite because it is rich in B vitamins, now it may be banned, go figure.
As for the taste, it is not jam, it is concentrated and a little goes a long way.
Posted by: Mark.V. | Wednesday, January 07, 2009 at 10:38 PM
You obviously don't understand Rogier, the government telling you what you can and can't eat is part of the new "freedom."
Posted by: hermesten | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 09:54 AM
I don't know if you have seen it before or not, but:
http://billstclair.com/DoingFreedom/000623/df.0600.fa.lipidleggin.html
Posted by: Phelps | Thursday, January 08, 2009 at 01:04 PM