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Australia suggests Vegemite sales limit amid 'alcohol abuse' | Australia suggests Vegemite sales limit amid 'alcohol abuse' |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Australia's government says some communities should consider limiting the sale of the popular Vegemite spread because it is being used to make alcohol. | Australia's government says some communities should consider limiting the sale of the popular Vegemite spread because it is being used to make alcohol. |
It says the yeast-based product is contributing to anti-social behaviour in some remote communities. | It says the yeast-based product is contributing to anti-social behaviour in some remote communities. |
Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion described the salty spread as a "precursor to misery". | Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion described the salty spread as a "precursor to misery". |
He said it was being bought in bulk to make moonshine. | He said it was being bought in bulk to make moonshine. |
Brewer's yeast is a key ingredient in the spread and is used in the production of beer and ale. | Brewer's yeast is a key ingredient in the spread and is used in the production of beer and ale. |
In communities where alcohol is banned because of addiction problems, Mr Scullion said Vegemite sales should also be restricted. | In communities where alcohol is banned because of addiction problems, Mr Scullion said Vegemite sales should also be restricted. |
"Businesses in these communities... have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions," he said. | "Businesses in these communities... have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions," he said. |
The minister added that in some cases, children were failing to turn up to school because they were too hung-over, and that Vegemite was an increasingly common factor in domestic violence cases. | The minister added that in some cases, children were failing to turn up to school because they were too hung-over, and that Vegemite was an increasingly common factor in domestic violence cases. |
But Dr John Boffa of the People's Alcohol Action Coalition, who is based in Alice Springs, in Australia's Northern Territory, says the problem is not widespread. | |
"We're talking about an isolated problem in a couple of communities around a very large nation, and a nation where there is a very large number of Aboriginal communities, and every community is different," he told the BBC. | |
He said there might be a need for some local initiatives, but that these should be initiated by the communities themselves. | |
Vegemite started as a war-time substitute for Marmite, and is now something of an Australian culinary icon, says the BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney. | Vegemite started as a war-time substitute for Marmite, and is now something of an Australian culinary icon, says the BBC's Jon Donnison in Sydney. |