Vegemite devotees are claiming their beloved spread has had a recent recipe change since becoming vegan-friendly.
Vegemite connoisseurs phoned 3AW’s breakfast show this morning complaining about a shift in the consistency, tartness and appearance of the Aussie spread since claims emerged the recipe had changed began circulating online.
Some listeners claimed the ‘new’ spread was too shiny, while another claimed it gave him reflux.
Vegemite, owned by Bega, has gone through a series of changes this year.
In November, the the brand announced the spread had become vegan-friendly, but denied having changed the recipe.
In February, the brand announced new gluten-free and reduced salt options.
Senior Marketing Manager for Vegemite Matt Gray told Daily Mail Australia the recipe has not changed.
‘Vegemite is made from natural ingredients, including yeast, therefore there can be fluctuations from time to time.’
Vegemite lovers are claiming the recipe of the iconic spread has changed (stock image)
But Vegemite lover Lorraine maintained she’d done a taste-test with friends comparing an older jar of the spread with a new, vegan-certified one.
‘I bought a small jar and put it away and actually forgot that I had it in the cupboard. And last Tuesday when I had several friends around I said, “I want to do a taste test,” she told 3AW.
‘I said: “What do you think about Vegemite lately?” And a few of them said: “It’s changed – it’s not like it used to be.”
Lorraine also said the taste of Vegemite had become too tart for her liking.
Another caller, Brooke, agreed with Lorraine and claimed the recipe had ‘100 per cent changed’.
‘It used to be, like, matte, and now it’s, like, shiny,’ she said.
One Vegemite consumer complained Vegemite was now too tart to enjoy (stock image)
Vegemite enthusiast Steve also claimed there had been a change in consistency making it too easy to spread.
‘I’ve been an eater of it all my life and it’s now become spreadable where it never used to be – used to put a hole in my bread. Now it causes reflux every time I have it.’
Radio host Ross Johnson shared the moment he had his own epiphany and decided the recipe had changed.
‘Saturday morning I had a bit of Vegemite on toast and I went “hang on”, and then I went, “Oh my god”,’ said Johnson.
‘A listener sent an email on Friday saying that Vegemite had changed its taste and it has. There’s no doubt.’
The presenter said the only thing that changed about the spread recently was that it’s now vegan-friendly.
‘They said: “we’ve been able to make it vegan without changing the recipe”… I’m calling BFS on that because it’s changed.
Consumers on review website Product Review agreed the taste of Vegemite changed
3AW listeners weren’t the only ones complaining.
Consumers on Australian review website Product Review shared the caller’s sentiments.
‘As soon as I tasted new jar of Vegemite something was different, it didn’t taste right. When I examined it I noticed texture was soft and it was glossy. This was not the Vegemite I loved and enjoyed. Please bring back the Vegemite I loved!’ said one user.
‘Give us back the old consistency of Vegemite, not this goo that is being sold as an iconic brand. Not happy Jan!’ shared another.
Someone else claimed the alleged new recipe was so bad they were almost in tears.
‘Been eating Vegemite for 64 years, buy several jars at once. Opened new jar…yuuuuuck! I could cry! What the heck has happened? I’ll not waste money buying more Vegemite without a taste first. So, so very Sad.’