Government speaks out on claims marmalade will be renamed thanks to Brexit
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Maliflower73/Getty Images
Officials have issued a critical update following threats that British marmalade could be forced to undergo a drastic change as per European food laws.
It was previously alleged that marmalade, the sweet, tangy fruit preserve typically made from the juice and peel of citrus, could be renamed in the UK.
It was alleged that the store cupboard staple would need to be specifically sold as ‘citrus marmalade’ as Brussels widened the legal definition of ‘marmalade’ across Europe for the first time, as per the BBC.
As a result, EU countries will be able to market fruity preservatives that are not made with citrus fruits as ‘marmalade’ from June.
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In line with international norms, citrus-based products would need to be identified as a distinct category.
It was reported that as part of Britain’s post-Brexit EU Reset Deal, UK manufacturers would need to comply with the marmalade decree alongside 76 other EU food-related laws.
Despite rumours, a UK government spokesperson confirmed that Paddington Bear’s favourite spread was ‘not changing’ and would remain the same product available in shops.
This is because marmalade, typically made with oranges in the UK, is usually already labelled as ‘orange marmalade’ or ‘Seville orange marmalade’, which directly complies with the EU directive, the Independent wrote.
A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) explained: "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.”
On Saturday (4 April), a government source confirmed that orange marmalade would continue to appear on supermarket shelves.
"This isn’t such a sticky situation after all,” the claimed source explained to The Mirror.
“Despite false claims that the name orange marmalade is toast, it will be preserved, so there’s no need to spread alarm".
The rumoured exodus of orange marmalade comes amid news that some of the country’s favourite ‘meat-flavoured’ snacks could be forced to change their names, too.
Roast beef flavoured Monster Munch, Walkers roast chicken crisps, and chicken and mushroom Pot Noodles all face the possibiliy of being on the chopping block.
This is because, despite what their name suggests, they don’t contain any meat - they’re actually vegetarian.
In March European Parliament and the Council of the EU reached a provisional agreement to ban 31 animal-associated words from appearing on plant-based foods.
The proposal still needs the backing of the European Commission and the governments of the 27 member states to enter into official force, as per The Express.
If passed, the so-called ‘landmark’ move would mean that manufacturers would be banned from using words like ‘chicken’ or ‘pork’ to describe their vegetarian and vegan items.
The threat that ‘classic British snacks could soon be snatched out from under our noses’ has been condemned by green campaign group, WePlanet.
Joel Scott-Halkes, director of impact at WePlanet, claimed: “British consumers aren’t idiots.
“After generations of enjoying beloved products like Smith’s Bacon Fries or chicken and mushroom Pot Noodles, we don’t need Brussels bureaucrats policing what we call them
“It’s time for [Sir Keir] Starmer to intervene and save our snacks.”