Incarcerated Marmite-lovers are facing a major sandwich sacrifice.
The Department of Corrections has confirmed the Marmite shortage - dubbed "Marmageddon" - has spread to the country's prisons.
"Marmite has been a sandwich spread on the national prisoner menu. However, we have switched to Vegemite due to the shortage," Russell Baker, Internal Services Sector manager of Corrections Inmate Employment, said yesterday.
However, both Marmite and Vegemite are prohibited for private use by prisoners.
And the reason?
The yeast-based product could be used to make alcohol, he said.
The shortage was sparked after the closure of the Christchurch factory last year, following damage incurred in the February 22 earthquake.
