Prisoner files complaint demanding favourite food in jail, alleges human rights violation

MELBOURNE: A prisoner in Victoria, Australia, has approached the court against the ban on Vegemite, a popular Australian food spread, in jails. Andre McKechnie, serving a life sentence for murder, argues that the ban is a human rights violation and denies him the right to enjoy a part of the country's culture. McKechnie has filed complaints with Victoria's justice department and Community Safety and Corrections Victoria, stating that the ban, imposed in 2006, is unfair.

The ban was put in place after it was discovered that prisoners were using Vegemite's strong smell to mask the use of drugs and alcohol.

Vegemite, a byproduct of beer production, is commonly spread on toast with butter and is a staple in many Australian households. It's also given to children as a source of Vitamin B. However, its strong, salty taste is not liked by everyone, including former US President Barack Obama, who described it as "horrible" after trying it during a visit to Australia.

McKechnie, who is held in Victoria's high-security Port Phillip prison, was sentenced to life in prison for the 1994 murder of property developer Otto Kuhn. He had been granted parole for eight years during his sentence.