We hope to answer any questions you may have about our products here. If you need any further information, please contact our Consumer Relations Team on 1800 033 275 (AUS) and 0800 444 045 (NZ)
- Q.1 What is VEGEMITE made from?
A. The ingredients in VEGEMITE have not changed since it was first introduced to consumers in 1923. Our recipe is a closely guarded secret, however we can tell you it's full of B vitamins and contains virtually no fat, and contributes almost no kilojoules to the diet.
VEGEMITE is also one of the world's richest sources of B vitamins – including thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. A thin spread of VEGEMITE will supply between a third and two thirds of a seven-year-old child's daily vitamin B requirements. For adults, it supplies between a quarter and a half of their daily vitamin B requirements. B group vitamins are essential in the body's use of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, which assists your body to be strong and have energy.
We recommend VEGEMITE as a part of a healthy active lifestyle.
- Q.2 How popular is VEGEMITE?
A. Approximately 80 per cent of households across the nation have VEGEMITE in their pantries.
VEGEMITE continues to be Australia's most popular spread with more than 22 million jars of VEGEMITE manufactured every year.
Australians spread about 1.2 billion serves of VEGEMITE on toast, bread or biscuits every year. If this was all placed end to end, it would go around the world three times.
- Q.3 Where is VEGEMITE made?
VEGEMITE has been made in Australia since it was first launched in 1923. VEGEMITE's home is at Kraft Foods' manufacturing plant located in Port Melbourne, Victoria.
- Q.4 Is VEGEMITE high in salt?
You may be surprised to know that an average five gram serve of VEGEMITE has the same amount of sodium as around two slices of bread or a bowl of cereal.
- Q.5 Is VEGEMITE kosher certified?
VEGEMITE products are certified kosher by Kosher Australia and the kosher status is denoted by a 'K' before the 'best before' date.
Further information regarding certification can be found by visiting their website at www.kosher.org.au.
- Q.6 Is VEGEMITE certified Halal?
A. VEGEMITE is certified Halal by The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. VEGEMITE is made on a dedicated production line and does not contain or come into contact with any animal derived ingredients and the yeast in the product has been processed to ensure the product is alcohol free.
- Q.7 Where can I listen to the Happy Little Vegemites song?
You can listen and view the first ever Happy Little Vegemite commercial on this website http://aso.gov.au/titles/ads/happy-little-vegemites/extras/
- Q.8 I live outside of Australia and would like to buy VEGEMITE. Where can I buy it?
The following retailers sell VEGEMITE around the world. Please understand that as Kraft Foods has no affiliation with these retailers, we do not have control over product availability or price.
AUSTRALIA
Great Aussie Food http://www.greataussiefood.com.au
Homesick Online http://www.homesick.com.au/shopping/afood.asp
North America
Australian Catalogue Company www.aussiecatalog.com
Aussie Products www.aussieproducts.com
Everything Australian http://www.everythingaustralian.com/ausfood.html
United Kingdom
Australia Shop UK http://www.australiashop.co.uk
Sainsbury Stores UK - http://www.sainsburys.co.uk
Germany
Australia Shop www.australiashop.com
Uluru Australian Center http://www.australien-versand.de/ located in Münster
Denmark
Australian Shop http://australiashop.dk/shop/
Sweden
The English Shop http://www.englishshop.se
France
The Australia/New Zealand Shop http://www.australianz-shop.com/
Turkey
Atillas Getaway Travel Shop
Aydin karayolu uzeri, Acarlar village
Selcuk, Turkey
Netherlands
Absolutely British - Amsterdam http://www.absolutelybritish.nl/
Japan
Daimaru stores
Bangkok
Tokyo Store in the MBK Centre
Hong Kong
Wellcome Stores Online http://www.wellcome.com.hk/zh_tw
Singapore
Cold Storage stores and online: http://www.coldstorage.com.sg/mall/
Indonesia
Jakarta - Kem Chicks grocery in Kemang Raya
Jakarta - Ranch Market in Pondok Indah area
- Q.9 Are all the ingredients in VEGEMITE sourced from within Australia?
A. We pride our self on being made in Australia, for Australians since it launched down under in 1923. More than 90% of VEGEMITE's ingredients are sourced from within Australia, with a small amount of yeast and other flavourings imported.
- Q.10 What percentage of VEGEMITE is exported overseas?
A. Around 98% of VEGEMITE is sold in Australia; the other 2% is sold overseas.
- Q.11 Is VEGEMITE gluten free?
A. One of the key ingredients of VEGEMITE is malt extract derived from barley, therefore it is not gluten free.
- Q.12 Does VEGEMITE contain genetically modified ingredients?
A. VEGEMITE, as well as all our products, does not contain genetically modified material. We only use food ingredients that meet our strict criteria of safety and quality conform to all relevant legal requirements and importantly, respond to the preferences of our customers and consumers.
- Q.13 How do I store VEGEMITE?
A. VEGEMITE is a shelf stable product and once opened can be stored in the cupboard or pantry right up until the best before date.
- Q.14 Is VEGEMITE suitable for vegans and vegetarians?
A. VEGEMITE is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. The product is made on a dedicated production line and does not contain or come into contact with any animal derived ingredients.
- Q. 15 When was VEGEMITE first sold in Australia?
A young chemist by the name of Dr Cyril P Callister at the Fred Walker Cheese Company (became Kraft Foods in 1926) invented a tasty, spreadable paste labelled "Pure Vegetable Extract" in 1922.
The Fred Walker Cheese Company initiated a plan to have the Australian public officially name their spread. A national competition was launched offering a 50 pound prize pool and it was Fred Walker's daughter who chose the winning name of VEGEMITE. In 1923, VEGEMITE first graced the shelves of grocers Australia wide. However VEGEMITE was not always the popular spread we know today, dominated by an English product, Marmite throughout the 1920s. After four years with VEGEMITE, Walker renamed his product "Parwill" to attempt a play on words "If Marmite…then Parwill". The snappy pun did not sell the product so Walker reverted back to his first choice of name, VEGEMITE. To stimulate sales, he launched a vigorous two year coupon redemption scheme giving away a jar of VEGEMITE with every Fred Walker cheese product purchased. This campaign proved to be a huge success; consumers tried VEGEMITE and loved it.
In 1984, VEGEMITE made supermarket history in Australia by becoming the first product to be electronically scanned at a checkout. For a more detailed history of VEGEMITE follow this link:
www.vegemite.com.au/Pages/heritage-vegemite-timeline-1920.aspx
- Q.16 Is it safe to give VEGEMITE to infants? How much should I give to young children and from what age?
We would always recommend that you speak with your health centre nurse or general practitioner to discuss your baby's individual dietary requirements, however, as a guide the perfect time to introduce VEGEMITE is when your baby is enjoying a variety of solid foods.
Apart from providing vital nutrition, its flavour can help babies accept new foods. Try adding a little VEGEMITE to mashed vegetables and pureed meat dishes. Then, as they grow, spread it on their rusks, sandwiches and toast.
- Q.17 Where can I find old VEGEMITE advertising?
You can find past VEGEMITE advertising dating back to the 1920s at this link
www.vegemite.com.au/Pages/heritage-vegemite-timeline-1920.aspx