The Potential Rebranding of Marmalade
In news that might surprise many, marmalade could soon be undergoing a subtle transformation. The beloved orange breakfast spread might see a name change if a new government food deal with the European Union is finalized. However, there’s no need to panic just yet, as this change would be minimal and likely unnoticed by most.
Why Is Marmalade Getting a New Name?
If the government’s post-Brexit agreement is approved, it could lead to Britain aligning with updated European food regulations. This means some items on supermarket shelves might look a little different in the future, including marmalade.
The reason behind this shift lies in changes to labeling rules in Brussels. For years, only preserves made from citrus fruits could be labeled as marmalade, while other fruit spreads had to be sold as jams. However, after the UK left the EU, the rules were updated to allow non-citrus spreads to be marketed as marmalade for the first time.
This change has led to confusion in shops, as various fruit preserves could now be labeled as marmalade. To address this, the solution is to label citrus-based marmalade differently.
What Would This Mean for Marmalade in UK Shops?
If the deal goes ahead, the EU’s marmalade naming rule would apply to the UK, meaning the classic spread would become ‘citrus marmalade’. While this may seem like a small change, it could have broader implications for how marmalade is marketed and sold.
Northern Ireland and the Future of Marmalade
Northern Ireland is already preparing to introduce the citrus name change in summer 2026, as it aligns with EU food laws under the 2023 Windsor framework deal. Currently, NI has no plans to distinguish other types of marmalade in supermarkets, other than citrus-based ones.
The UK is also looking to make the name change, as part of a deal that would see 76 updated EU laws introduced here. These updated regulations would also cover farming, food hygiene, and organic pet food.
If all goes to plan, Labour hopes the deal will come into force in mid-2027, but no timeline for marmalade rule changes has been revealed yet.
Government Statement on the Change
A government spokesperson said:
‘British marmalade is not changing; it will still be the same product available in our shops as it is now.
‘British manufacturers align with international standards to ensure our world-class produce can be sold to a larger international market.
‘Our deal with the EU supports businesses by removing the costly red tape that holds back our exporters from our largest trading partner.
‘Crucially, our agreement secures the UK’s ability to shape the rules that affect our industry in the national interest.’
The History of Marmalade in the UK
Marmalade was first brought to the UK in the 15th century, when it was imported from Spain and Portugal. But back then, it was made with quince paste and called marmelada. Quince jelly/paste is still made today and often eaten with cheese, but marmalade, as we now know it, has changed.
One of the earliest orange marmalade recipes dates back to 1677 and was created by Eliza Cholmondeley and known as ‘marmalat of oranges’. Another popular one was published in Mary Kettilby’s 1714 cookbook, A Collection of Above Three Hundred Recipes.
But the commercial success of marmalade as a breakfast spread is often credited to James Keiller in Scotland. As the story goes, James’ wife, Janet, is said to have made a batch of marmalade from Seville oranges that arrived damaged in Dundee harbour. This reportedly inspired James to set up the first commercial marmalade factory, under James Keiller & Son, in 1797.
By the late 19th century, many other regional marmalade brands had cropped up across the UK and gained popularity.
Flash forward to today, and the spread is a beloved breakfast staple – there’s even a World Marmalade Festival and Awards held in Cumbria each year.
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