Vegemite Facts

Vegemite is a dark brown Australian food spread made from yeast and vegetable extracts, with added spices and minerals. It was developed in 1922 by Fred Walker and Dr. Cyril Callister, and was first sold in Australia in 1923.

Origin

• Walker and Callister conceived Vegemite as an Australian rival to the popular British vegetable spread, Marmite. The name "Vegemite" was chosen following a nationwide naming contest in Australia.

Name Change

• Australian grocers began selling Vegemite in 1923. Vegemite's name was changed briefly in 1928 to "Parwill," but the name "Vegemite" was reinstated permanently shortly thereafter.

Nutritional Value

• In 1939, the British Medical Association endorsed Vegemite as a "nutritionally balanced food." Vegemite remains rich in B vitamins and is vegetarian, kosher, halal, and free of artificial flavors and colors.

Kraft Ownership

• Fred Walker, inventor of Vegemite, joined forces with Kraft Foods of the United States in 1926. The new company was called the Kraft Walker Cheese Company.

Vegemite Song

• In Australia, the Vegemite theme song, "Happy Little Vegemites," is well known. This song made its debut in 1954.

Significance

• Vegemite is available worldwide and almost 25 million jars are sold each year. Kraft also markets Vegemite Snackabouts and Vegemite Cheesybite.