It’s lucky we don’t live in Denmark – UPDATED

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Marmite, that vitamin B rich British institution, either loved or reviled is now illegal banned from sale in Denmark.

What next? Banning the sale of “Are You Being Served” or “Dad’s Army” videos? A gagging order stopping British ex-pats in Copenhagen talking about the weather back home in Scunthorpe? All Austin Mini’s in the country must be scrapped immediately?

Joking aside, this raises a question for us. We’ll be visiting the UK over the summer and naturally we’ll stock up on 500g jars of Marmite while we are there. Just enough to keep us going for a year.

But we will be driving via Denmark. So, on the return journey, will we need to declare our Marmite as we cross the border? Will it be confiscated like other banned and controlled substances?

Update 
Well it looks like a storm in a tea-cup and nothing exciting will happen if we drive through Jutland with a couple of kilos of Marmite hidden away in a bag.

Here is the boring response from the FVST. I quote:

“Neither Marmite nor Vegemite and similar products have been banned by the Danish Food And Veterinary Administration. However, fortified foods with added vitamins, minerals or other substances can not be marketed in Denmark unless approved by Danish food authorities.According to the Danish Order on food additives, addition of vitamins, minerals and other substances need to be approved by the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration before the product can be marketed in Denmark.

The Danish Food and Veterinary Administration has not received an application for marketing in Denmark of Marmite or similar products with added vitamins or minerals.

Other fortified food products have been approved by Danish food authorities and are being marketed in Denmark.

For further informations:
Deputy Head of Nutrition Division
Jens Therkel Jensen, 72** ****
Read more on: http://www.uk.foedevarestyrelsen.dk/Food_Safety/Fortified_food/forside.htm ”

Implicit in this statement is that whilst you can no longer sell or buy Marmite in Denmark, personal stashes of user quantities of Marmite will not cause any laws to be broken.

Marmite spliff anyone?

4 thoughts on “It’s lucky we don’t live in Denmark – UPDATED”

  1. ILLEGAL??? Are you serious? But why? I've never heard anything so ridiculous in all my life. Never. I have already bought you a large pot of marmite. And 1kg of sosmix. xxx

  3. yeah, I read this in Politiken and laughed. I don't know how "you people" (the English) can eat the stuff, it smells revolting!! Does Damae eat it?

    and BTW, the law is there to prevent unhealthy food makers adding vitamins, and advertising the vitamins on the packaging, making the unhealthy foods seem healthy:
    "Suger-O's, now fortified with 7 vitamins and minerals!!"

  4. Yes we both eat and enjoy Marmite. Especially yummy when combined with peanut butter or whole grain tahini. Peanut butter and marmite sandwiches are one Damae's favourite lunches.

    I used to enjoy cheese on toast with anchovies and tomato ketchup before I became a vegetarian. Now I occasionally make cheese on toast with marmite and ketchup, the marmite making a good flavour substitue for the anchovies. Marmite is also a good substitute for stock cubes.

    I'm afraid I don't know enough about Danish eating habits to provide a suitable riposte ;)

    Oh and Damae is from Canada, so "you people" has to include Canadians!

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