The new, creamier version of Vegemite has yet to be named.

ADELAIDE, Australia — The iconic Australian food spread Vegemite is getting a makeover.

Kraft Foods Australia announced that a creamier variation of the product would be on store shelves July 5 alongside the original, which has been a staple in pantries Down Under almost since its invention here in 1922.

"With such a well-loved, iconic brand, we wouldn't create something using the Vegemite name unless we were absolutely sure Australians would love it," said Simon Talbot, Kraft Australia's head of corporate affairs.

Vegemite — a salty, slightly bitter spread made from brewer's yeast — is such a part of Australian lifestyle that it even made mention as a sandwich in the 1980s hit song "Down Under" by Men at Work. Australians spread it on toast or crackers, top it with tomatoes or avocados, use it to flavor soups and gravies, pack a jar when traveling and write home for more when living abroad.

Kraft decided to make a new product after conducting a census of 300,000 Australians and New Zealanders to find out how they use Vegemite, Talbot said.

The end result is a Vegemite mixed with cream cheese for a smoother, more spreadable consistency. Talbot said the new product was given to 600 homes for testing and came back with overwhelmingly positive results.

"It's a milder version, more suited to dipping celery or carrots, easy to spread," Talbot said.

Just like the original, which was named in a national poll in 1923, the new version will be named by a public contest.