Germany gets out of jam

German jam eaters have been spared the prospect of EU meddlers interfering with their breakfast conserves.

MEPs on the European Parliament’s environment committee on Tuesday voted to amend EU jam laws in favour of Berlin.

European legislation currently states that the term ‘marmalade’ can only apply to products made from citrus fruit.

But in both Austria and Germany the word ‘Marmelade’ can cover preserves made from other fruits, whilst ‘Marmelade aus Zitrusfrüchten’ is marmalade as the rest of Europe recognises it.

A 2004 European Commission proposal - on jam, jelly, marmalade and chestnut purée - let Austria off the hook but forgot about Germany.

MEPs have now corrected this oversight.

The committee's decision will now have to make it past a full parliamentary hearing.

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