The rules for jams, jellies and marmalades have been updated across the European Union as part of the revision to the Breakfast Directives. The changes are designed to support healthier diets and help consumers make informed choices.
Amendment to the Breakfast Directives
Directive (EU) 2024/1438 amends four of the seven Directives, known collectively as the ‘Breakfast Directives’ relating to honey, fruit juices, jams, jellies and marmalades and preserved dehydrated milk products. The updated directives aim to promote a shift to healthier diets, help consumers make informed choices, and ensure transparency regarding the origin of products.
Summary of amendments to EU Directive 2024/1438 relating to Jams, Jellies & Marmalades
Directive 2024/1438 adds reference to (EU) 1169/2011 Food Information to Consumers and removes the specific provision on sugar labelling.
More fruit in jam
Directive 2024/1438 increases the minimum fruit content for ‘jam’ from 350g of fruit per 1000g of finished product to 450g (100g increase); and increases the minimum fruit content for ‘extra jam’ or ‘extra jelly’ from 450g of fruit per 1000g of finished product, to 500g (50g increase). The aim of the increase is to reduce the amount of added sugar needed to reach the minimum content of soluble dry matter (60%) in those products.
Concentrated citrus fruit juice permitted as an acidifying agent
Directive 2024/1438 also permits the use of concentrated citrus fruit juice alongside currently permitted fruit juice, as an acidifying agent in jam, extra jam, jelly, and extra jelly.
Legal name and definition for marmalade is now ‘citrus marmalade’.
Directive 2024/1438 amends the current definition ‘marmalade’ to ‘citrus marmalade’. Other permitted terms include ‘(name of citrus fruit) marmalade’ or ‘mixed fruits marmalade’, where only citrus fruits are used.
"Citrus marmalade" is a legal name. A legal name is a name set out in food law and must be used when selling the product. The legislation states that the name of the citrus fruit or the word citrus in the marmalade has to be used.
Under Article 17 of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, businesses must use the legal name of a food where one exists.
The following names are examples of permitted names once the products meets the definition for a citrus marmalade:
- Citrus Marmalade
- Orange Marmalade
- Lemon Marmalade
- Grapefruit Marmalade
- Orange Marmalade made with Irish Whiskey
- Citrus Marmalade made with Irish whiskey
What this means for your label
When naming your marmalade product, you must include either: the word "citrus", or the name of the citrus fruit used, such as orange, lemon or grapefruit. The product name should clearly identify the food as a citrus marmalade.
EU legislation
Council Directive 2001/113/EC (OJ L 010, p67, 12.01.02) of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption
Amended by:
- Directive (EU) 2024/1438 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 amending Council Directives 2001/110/EC relating to honey, 2001/112/EC relating to fruit juices and certain similar products intended for human consumption, 2001/113/EC relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption, and 2001/114/EC relating to certain partly or wholly dehydrated preserved milk for human consumption
- Council Directive 2004/84/EC (OJ L 219, p8, 19.06.2004) of 10 June 2004
- Council Regulation (EC) No 361/2008 (OJ L 121, p1, 7.05.2008) of 14 April 2008
- Regulation (EU) No 1021/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 287, p1, 29.10.2013) of 9 October 2013
- Consolidated version of Council Directive 2001/113/EC as at 14 June 2026
National legislation
European Union (Marketing of Fruit Jams, Jellies, Marmalades and Sweetened Chestnut Purée) Regulations 2025 (S.I. No. 620 of 2025)
Transition period
Food businesses have a transitional period up to 14 June 2026 to comply.
Council Directive 2001/113/EC of 20 December 2001 relating to fruit jams, jellies and marmalades and sweetened chestnut purée intended for human consumption
The purpose of Directive 2001/113/EC is to prescribe standards for the composition and labelling of fruit jams, jellies, marmalades and chestnut purée products. The Directive defines:
- jam
- jelly
- marmalade
- extra jam
- extra jelly
- chestnut purée
Definitions are also given for the following raw materials which may be used in the manufacture of these products:
- fruit
- fruit pulp
- fruit purée
- aqueous extracts of fruit
- sugars
For the purposes of Directive 2001/113/EC, tomatoes, the edible parts of rhubarb stalks, carrots, sweet potatoes, cucumbers, pumpkins, melons and water-melons are considered as fruit.
The Directive also lays down labelling requirements for products which fall within its scope, which apply in addition to the general labelling requirements of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers.