A DECISION by the Canadian government to ban some of the most popular food and drink for British ex-pats could see a businessman, who hails from the North-East, being forced to close his shop.

A British speciality food store in Saskatoon faces closure after the Canadian authorities declared that the essential supplies it provides such as Bovril, Penguin biscuits and Irn-Bru, are illegal in the country.

Tony Badger, owner of Brit Foods, a convenience store in the Saskatchewan city, warned that his livelihood was under threat after officials pulled products from his shelves and impounded goods which had been imported via Montreal.

The shop owner, who is originally from Redcar, opened up the store more than 15 years ago.

Speaking to the Independent newspaper he said: “Unfortunately, as time goes by, I’m not importing. As the shelves start to empty… if it takes too long we’ll have no option but to close.”

Irn-Bru, often described as “Scotland’s other national drink”, contains Ponceau 4R, a synthetic red food colourant which is not permitted in Canada.

While Marmite is fortified with vitamins and minerals including Vitamin B12 and Riboflavin (Vit B2), a combination which previously saw the savoury banned by Danish food regulators.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is also investigating beef stock and canned soup, which it believes contains too much animal product.

Mr Badger, who is seeking a meeting with agency officials, has been forced to pull his last remaining supplies of Irn-Bru and Marmite off shelves.