Australia’s Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd loves his Vegemite, but enjoying it in the United States has become a challenge.

 

On Sunday, Rudd had to convince American customs inspectors at a New York City airport not to confiscate his Vegemite, a yeasty food spread Australians enjoy on bread and crackers.

 

“Airport staff were surprised when I said it is good for you and I ate it for breakfast,” Rudd told the Associated Press. “They then waved me through.”

 

Vegemite sparked some good-natured ribbing earlier this year between Australia’s prime minister, Julia Gillard, and President Barack Obama. During Gillard’s visit to the U.S. in March, Obama explained to some high school students in Washington D.C. that Vegemite was a “quasi-vegetable by-product” that was “horrible.” Australia’s head of state took the remark in stride, and proclaimed her “love” for the food.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Australian Minister Fights for His Vegemite in US (by Rod McGuirk, Associated Press)

Barack Obama Gives Vegemite a Pasting during Julia Gillard's Visit to US (by Mark Kenny, AdelaideNow)