Canada bans Marmite, Irn Bru, Lucozade, Bovril and Penguin biscuits
Some of Britain’s best-loved brands have found themselves at the centre of an international dispute after the Canadian government moved to confiscate stock from store shelves amidst concern at illegal additives used in their recipes.
The clampdown became apparent when specialist retailer Brit Foods in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, reported that officials had plundered items of Marmitem, Irn Bru, Lucozade, Bovril and Penguin biscuits from its shelves – despite the products having been on sale without problem since 1997.
Store manager Tony badger told local media: “We've been bringing Irn-Bru in since the very beginning," he told CKOM. The bright orange caffeinated drink is particularly popular in Scotland, but sold in countries around the world.
"My understanding was we were importing legally. We've been declaring it through a customs broker and we've never had an issue until now.”
The crackdown was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency which is targeting products ‘enriched by vitamins and minerals’ and will conduct a health assessment before determining if they can be put back on sale.
Badger added: “I haven't heard of anyone dying from consuming Irn-Bru in Scotland or Britain, so hopefully we will get a favourable decision.”