Australia: Vegemite may be banned, blamed for alcohol abuse!

[zwiebel]

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion wants to ban the sale of Australia's popular spread, Vegemite, in some 'remote communities' because he says people are using it to brew alcohol and is blaming it for increasing rates of domestic violence.

The article doesn't say so, but I suspect the remote communities are Native Aboriginal ones. I can't help wondering about all the other things that can be used to make home brew - potatoes, fruit, barley, almost anything. Are they all going to be banned too?

*For those who aren't familiar, Vegemite is the younger sibling of British Marmite. It is a very special, strong savoury spread which everyone loves, the first time they try it.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-33839742

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/v...n-kids-try-vegemite-for-the-first-time-2014-9

 

[human]

The attacks on the Aborigines go on and on.

 

[zwiebel]

Interestingly, a Native Affairs TV station has delved more deeply into this story. Although the video has expired now, the text is still there.

Australian Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion had just heard rumors about Vegemite being used for alcohol, but hasn't responded to any requests to produce any documents or figures to support the allegations.

A scientist has said Vegemite is made from brewed yeast but is about as far from live yeast as you can get and would be totally useless for home brew.

A former prisoner told the station that apples and bread are the prime ingredients used to make illicit alcohol there and Vegemite is used - but only to add flavor.

Vegemite is packed with B vitamins and can be an important source for people in poverty who have a poor or limited diet. It seems Vegemite may be doing exactly the opposite of what it has been accused of - by providing a yeasty taste of beer, without any of the alcohol content.

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/nitv-new...comment-unravelling-story-behind-vegemitegate

 

[crabstick]

Indigenous camps are often dry. The sale of alcohol is prohibited in these areas, so alcohol is manufactured.

The yeast in the Vegemite is mixed with orange juice by prisoners to make alcohol