Marmite's return delayed

"Marmageddon" will continue a bite longer.

Marmite has been off the shelves since March, after the Christchurch earthquake forced it to close its sole New Zealand production plant in November 2011.

Sanitarium first hoped to have the spread back in production by July, but then put that back to October after discovering more deconstruction of the factory was needed to strengthen the building.

Now, the company again says on a Facebook page that it needs more time as reconstructing the factory continues to be a complex task.

"We still have some final interior work to complete before the repair and recommissioning of our production line throughout October/November," it says.

"We know the waiting is tough and we are again asking you to understand that there will be a time lapse between the start of production and the availability of product on-shelf."

This time no date has been set for when Marmite will be back on supermarket shelves, "as we anticipate we will have some production hurdles to overcome".

The shortage in March prompted Sanitarium to suggest buyers use what Marmite they had on hot toast, as it spreads more thinly.

NZN