Brexit deal may force new names on UK foods
Several well-known British food products could face name changes under a proposed agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union aimed at reducing trade barriers after Brexit. The deal is intended to simplify the movement of food and drink between the UK and EU by aligning certain regulations, but this could require British producers to follow updated EU labelling rules.
One of the products affected could be marmalade. In the UK, marmalade is traditionally made from citrus fruits such as Seville oranges. However, EU rules allow the word “marmalade” to describe spreads made from non-citrus fruits as well. To avoid confusion between products, citrus-based spreads in the UK may need to be labelled more specifically as “citrus marmalade.” Lemon-based versions may still be allowed to use the name “lemon marmalade.” Officials have warned that such changes could confuse consumers, as marmalade has long been associated with British culture.
Instant noodle products such as chicken and mushroom Pot Noodles could also be affected. Some varieties are made using plant-based ingredients but are labelled with meat-related names. Under updated EU proposals, products that do not contain real meat may not be permitted to use meat-related descriptions. As a result, some popular snack products may need to be renamed or relabelled to comply with the rules.
Crisp flavours may also come under review. Draft EU rules suggest that labels such as “chicken-flavoured” or “bacon-flavoured” may not be allowed if the product contains no actual meat. This could affect a range of well-known vegetarian-friendly snacks that use flavourings designed to imitate meat.
The UK government is seeking a revised agreement with the EU to reduce trade friction and administrative costs for food producers. Under the proposed deal, the UK could adopt up to 76 updated EU food regulations covering England, Scotland and Wales. Similar requirements are already expected to apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework agreement reached in 2023.
If approved, the new rules could come into force as early as next year, potentially leading to changes in the names and labels of several familiar British food products.
