In a bewildering turn of events, a Toronto café owner finds himself grappling with a staggering $8,000 loss as he’s forced to yank Vegemite—an Australian culinary staple—from his shelves.

Leighton Walters, who launched Found Coffee during the pandemic after moving from Australia in 2019, had a vision to offer Canadians a taste of home. With four thriving locations across Toronto and Guelph, he was determined to bring a “slice of Australia to the Great White North.” But a recent inspection by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) turned his plans upside down.

The CFIA flagged Walters’ beloved Vegemite over added vitamins and folic acid, deeming it non-compliant with Canadian food regulations. Ironically, this same Vegemite is still available on Amazon Canada, raising eyebrows about the inconsistency.

Walters insists he sourced the original recipe of Vegemite, differentiating it from other formulations that include additional additives. "This situation makes absolutely no sense because Vegemite is Vegemite, no matter what jar it’s in,” he expressed in disbelief.

While the CFIA maintained that only select products can be fortified, Walters pointed out that a similar product, Marmite, which is also fortified, is easily found on Canadian grocery shelves. He wonders why Vegemite, the Australian counterpart, faces such scrutiny.

The issue even caught the attention of Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who publicly sided with Walters, labeling the situation as "rather odd." In a spirited defense of the iconic spread, he emphatically stated his love for Vegemite, dismissing Marmite as "rubbish," and rallied for clarity in trade discussions.

Despite the CFIA not mandating the disposal of the Vegemite, Walters opted to remove it voluntarily, hoping to foster understanding amidst the confusion. He has reached out to the Australian Trade Commission for guidance, aspiring that this hiccup doesn’t escalate into a broader trade dispute.

Walters expressed optimism about the enduring friendship between Canada and Australia. "I hope this has all been a big misunderstanding, and that someone can clarify the regulations,” he remarked, holding onto the hope for a resolution.