The UK government is considering relabeling marmalade as 'citrus marmalade' under a planned food deal with the European Union (EU), according to reports from BBC, The Guardian, and Daily Mail. This change aims to align with new EU regulations that would allow all conserves to be marketed as marmalades, provided the type of fruit is specified. The move is part of a broader effort to boost trade and reduce red tape for British exporters.
Key Takeaways
The UK government is considering relabeling marmalade as 'citrus marmalade' under a planned food deal with the EU to align with new regulations. This change aims to boost trade and reduce red tape for British exporters.
- The proposed changes would require citrus-based conserves to be labeled as 'citrus marmalade'
- The UK government claims that traditional orange marmalade will remain unchanged in shops
- Defra has said it is considering alignment with EU rules where appropriate
- Dalemain Mansion, host of the World Marmalade Awards, plans to keep its competition reserved for citrus-based spreads
The proposed changes stem from decades-old European regulations incorporated into UK law before Brexit, which previously allowed only preserves made from citrus fruits to be sold as 'marmalade'. This rule was a product of British lobbying in the 1970s and has been a source of friction with food regulators across Europe. In 2004, the EU relaxed these rules for producers selling at farmers' markets in Austria and Germany.
The UK government spokesperson said on Friday that traditional orange marmalade would remain unchanged in shops under the new regulations. 'British marmalade is not changing,' they stated. 'There is no requirement for retailers or producers to relabel orange marmalade as “citrus marmalade”, and jars on UK shelves will remain exactly as they are today.' The spokesperson added that many British manufacturers already meet international labeling standards voluntarily, and the deal would support trade by cutting unnecessary red tape with the EU.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has said it is considering alignment with EU rules where appropriate. However, it remains unclear whether regulators will allow products like 'strawberry marmalade' to be sold in British supermarkets. A previous assessment by Defra found that such a rule change could be confusing for UK consumers.
Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria, which has hosted the World Marmalade Awards since 2005, plans to keep its competition reserved for citrus-based spreads, irrespective of whether the naming rules are relaxed in the UK. Beatrice McCosh, director of the awards, said the competition aims to set the bar for 'rock solid British standard marmalade'.
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