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Australian Inmate Takes Legal Action Over Prison Vegemite Ban. A convicted murderer serving a life sentence in Australia is suing for the right to eat Vegemite, arguing that the prison ban violates his cultural identity as an Australian. Authorities in Victoria prohibit the spread behind bars over concerns that its strong smell can mask contraband or be used in brewing illicit alcohol. Andre McKechnie, sentenced to life for a 1990s stabbing in Queensland, says the long-standing ban denies him access to a key part of Australian culture. Court documents show he is challenging Victoria’s Department of Justice and Corrections, claiming the prison system has failed to provide food that supports his wellbeing. The Vegemite prohibition has been in place since 2006, and McKechnie wants it overturned as part of his lawsuit. The case is expected to go to trial next year, according to reports from AP. Vegemite, a salty yeast-based spread created in Melbourne in 1923, has long divided opinion but remains a national icon for many Australians. In 2022, Melbourne even listed the smell of Vegemite from a local factory as part of the city’s cultural heritage. Despite its status at home, Vegemite’s controversial flavour has earned it a place in Sweden’s Disgusting Food Museum alongside notably pungent dishes. The spread was at the centre of an international spat earlier this year when a Canadian cafe was told to remove Vegemite from its shelves, prompting intervention from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
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