Marmite off the menu

Marmite has been kicked off the menu at scores of children's breakfast clubs, which has disappointed the markers of the spread.

Ceredigion Council in Mid Wales has taken the yeast extract product off the menu at their 51 clubs within the county because of a "high level of salt."

The makers of Marmite responded by saying only a small amount was needed to make "toast tasty" for children.

A council spokesman said: "Breakfast clubs are intended to improve the health and concentration of children - to assist in the raising of standards of learning and attainment.

"But anything served must be healthy and nutritionally balanced. Marmite is not included on the list of items as it does include a high level of salt."

The spokesman added: "Low sugar marmalade or jam can be spread on toast, but lemon curd is not on the list of provisions."

The spread has been renowned for dividing opinion about its merits ever since 1902 when the Marmite Food Company (later Marmite Ltd) was set up in Burton upon Trent.

On the Marmite website, the health properties of the product are touted: "It's because we add a special vitamin blend to Marmite, enhancing the naturally nutritious yeast that's already there, that you can be sure Marmite's good for you.

"Plus, we think toast with Marmite tastes better than most vitamin pills...

"B vitamins benefit your body in all sorts of ways. They help regulate the kidneys, liver and nervous system as well as assisting with skin disorders and boosting energy..."

A spokesman for Unilever, which makes Marmite, said: "It is disappointing the council is not including Marmite in its items for breakfast clubs.

"It does contain salt and it is important that only small quantities are used for taste.

"But it is not harmful, and only a small amount is required to make toast tasty for children."

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