Marmalade may once again be called marmalade starting today: New labeling rules for honey and spreads take effect

The original rule goes back to a British negotiating success, since "Marmalade" in the UK is traditionally made only from citrus fruits. When Britain joined the European Economic Community, it had insisted that only spreads made from citrus fruits be allowed to be called "Marmalade" – and it prevailed. Today's opening is also being symbolically linked by observers to Brexit.

Background of the naming rule

As early as 2017, SPD politician Jakob von Weizsäcker, in a written question to the EU Commission, had proposed that "Marmelade should once again be called Marmelade" in order to "sweeten the bitter aftertaste of Brexit for many EU citizens a little," as he put it with an ironic undertone. Today, some nine years later, that proposal has become reality. Von Weizsäcker is now Finance Minister of the Saarland.

To avoid confusion, marmalade made from citrus fruits must now, under EU law, be called "Zitrusmarmelade," although the word "Zitrus" may be replaced by the name of the fruit used. Manufacturers can therefore continue to differentiate, but must do so clearly.

Alongside the naming question, the cut-off date also brings stricter requirements for honey labeling. On jars and labels, the names of all countries of origin must be listed when there is more than one. The countries of origin must, under the ordinance that has now entered into force, be given in descending order of their share, along with the weight share as a percentage.

Stricter requirements for honey

Until now, blanket declarations were possible, such as "blend of honey from EU and non-EU countries." That practice ends with the new ordinance. Honey that was filled under the old rules by today's cut-off date may still be sold off, so consumers should expect a transition period when looking at supermarket shelves.

The practical effects are likely to be visible primarily in the breakfast aisle of food retail. Anyone buying a jar of strawberry, raspberry, or cherry in future will, in all likelihood, once again see the familiar word "Marmelade" on the label, while for honey more precise origin information becomes mandatory.

Effects on consumers

The news itself comes from the dpa news channel. It fits into a series of smaller but symbolically charged changes in EU consumer law that are coming into force following the United Kingdom's departure.

Overall, the reform shows that food labeling continues to gain in transparency. While the term "Marmelade" for consumers in Germany is once again aligned with everyday language, the new honey rules create greater clarity about origin and blending ratios.