The Danish government has outraged British expatriates who live in Denmark by officially banning Marmite under food safety laws.
Loved by many, and equally loathed as the slogan “you either love it or hate it” attests, Marmite has been a staple of the British breakfast for decades. However, British Marmite lovers in Denmark will no longer be able to enjoy the yeast-extract spread on their morning toast.
The ban has come about after the Danish Food Administration deemed Marmite to contain too many added vitamins, a verdict that has already seen similar bans on foodstuffs including Shreddies, Rice Crispies, Ovaltine and Horlicks.
Up until now Marmite had escaped a ban, however last week the store Abigail’s, a British food specialist in Copenhagen, was contacted by the DFA and instructed to stop selling the product with immediate effect.
The owner of the store, Marianne Ørum, spoke of Marmite’s popularity amongst the expat community: “I don't eat it myself, I don't like it but Marmite was one of our best selling products. Not a day goes by without someone coming in and asking for it. All the English people here are shaking their heads in disbelief and say that it is insane. I agree but it is the law. It's becoming impossible to run a business in this country. We are not allowed to do anything anymore. It is the way Denmark is going.”
Food products with vitamin additives have been looked on unfavourably by the Danish authorities after worries surfaced regarding their effect pregnant women and children.