Aussies and New Zealand expats with a taste for the original yeast extract are triumphantly emerging from the dark time of Marmageddon to celebrate and champion the return of their favourite spread, as the iconic Marmite reclaims its place on supermarket shelves this October, with fans in a frenzy to get their first fix.

Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, the Sanitarium factory responsible for delivering the South Pacific's supply of the flavour-packed spread suspended production to allow for major repair works. Marmite made its much-anticipated return in New Zealand in March and the first Australian shipment of Marmite will be available to consumers from 1 October.

Marmite has long been valued in Australia as an excellent source of B complex vitamins, folate and vitamin B12. It is also completely vegetarian, contains virtually no fat and is the only yeast extract to claim iron in the Australian market.

Daniel Derrick, General Manager Marketing - Sanitarium Australia, said the Marmite brand has deep links with Australia and an amazing history which includes helping to fortify British soldiers and keeping prisoners of war alive.

"Sanitarium introduced Australia to Marmite in the early 1900s when it began importing and distributing the English version. During World War I, the nation faced its first shortage when the British army commandeered the entire supply, so when World War II broke out, Sanitarium secured the recipe and began producing Marmite locally," he said. "While production is now based in New Zealand, Marmite is a staple in many households on both sides of the Tasman and we know Australia will embrace its return - a bit of healthy competition is something we Aussies are always up for," said Mr Derrick.

Find out more about Marmite's return and share your tips on where to find the delicious spread when it hits stores from the beginning of October, or join the conversation on Twitter or Instagram, #MarmitetoOz.

FACT SHEET

• Marmite is a rich source of B complex vitamins and vitamin B12, and unlike any other yeast spread, it contains iron.
• Yeast is a natural source of B vitamins (including thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folate) and Marmite is made from yeast extract which is four or five times more concentrated than yeast, making it even healthier.
• Marmite is 100% vegetarian, has virtually no fat and contains 0.6g/sugar per 5g serving. Fun Facts
• Sanitarium introduced Australia to Marmite in the early 1900s when it began importing and distributing the English version locally.
• In 1914, when WWI commenced, the British army commandeered the entire supply of English Marmite - the B vitamins were excellent for the health of the troops.
• After the war, English Marmite was once again imported to the delight of Aussies nationwide, and Sanitarium secured the sole rights to distribute it in Australia.
• When WWII broke out, Sanitarium approached the English manufacturer to request the Marmite recipe so it could be produced here during the war.
• In 1944, Sanitarium Marmite was officially produced at the Cooranbong (NSW) factory, while Marmite was first produced in NZ around the same time.
• In the 1970s, NZ had an abundance of yeast and therefore Marmite production ceased in Australia - the Christchurch factory was then charged with the supply of Sanitarium Marmite for the entire South Pacific.In 2011, the Christchurch factory was damaged by earthquakes and Marmite production was suspended to allow for major repair works.
• Marmite was invented as early as 1680 but was first manufactured for commercial purposes in 1902 in England.
• In the 1960s Sanitarium promoted Marmite as a healthy drink - just add to hot water! At the time,
• the choice of hot drinks in the Sanitarium staff canteen was Marmite, Milo or cereal based coffee.
• In 1966, the Sanitarium Christchurch factory was gutted by fire, with all departments suffering major damage. The Marmite department was the first to return to production.
• A "marmite" is a French stock-pot or cooking pot (pronounced "mar-meet") used for cooking stew or gravy. Early Marmite jars featured a little pot as a logo on the packaging.
• Marmite helped keep POW's alive - during the war, one young man had subsisted on a diet of rice and developed beriberi (a vitamin-deficiency disease). He owed the recovery of his strength and sight to Marmite which was dispatched to prison camps by the Red Cross.