Australia warns over Vegemite saying remote communities use it to make homebrew in bathtubs

Australia’s indigenous affairs minister has warned about the use of popular spread Vegemite to make homebrew liquor in remote communities where alcohol is banned, describing it as a “precursor to misery”.

The sticky spread, made from yeast extract, is an Australian icon and similar to its British cousin Marmite.

But in some remote Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory where liquor is banned to stem alcohol-related problems, minister Nigel Scullion had heard of Vegemite being used to concoct the homebrew, his spokeswoman said.

“Addiction of any type is a concern but communities, especially where alcohol is banned, must work to ensure home brewing of this type does not occur,” Scullion said in a statement.

“Businesses in these communities also have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions.”

He added to The Sunday Mail newspaper in Brisbane that the homebrew was a “precursor to misery” and children in some communities had missed school as they were too hungover from all-night benders.

The Mail said Vegemite was being made into alcohol in large quantities such as in bathtubs in backyards.