Tops Orange Marmalade Jam
Red flags
- −Red flag: Contains Sunset Yellow FCF
- −Red flag: High added sugar (66.6g per 100g)
- −Red flag: Contains Sodium Benzoate
Green flags
- +Green flag: Low sodium
Ingredients, decoded
8 listed- Sugar
- Orange Juice & Orange Extract 46%
- Orange Shreds 5%
- Gelling Agent (INS 440)
- Acidity Regulator (INS 330)
- Nature - Identical Flavouring Substances - Orange
- Food Colour (INS 110)
- Preservatives (INS 211, INS 224)
Our take
CleanPlate reviewOrange marmalade: 51% fruit, sunset yellow, sulphite
Tops Orange Marmalade Jam is a 475 g jar made from sugar, orange juice and orange extract (46%), orange shreds (5%), a gelling agent, an acidity regulator, nature-identical orange flavour, the colour sunset yellow and two preservatives. The panel is printed per 100 g.
CleanPlate scores it [R]EC4. The E for nutrition is low: almost no credited protein, fibre or micronutrients per 100 g. The C for ingredients reflects a mix of whole and refined ingredients (led by sugar, orange juice & orange extract and orange shreds), with additives that cost points: potassium metabisulphite, flavouring and Sunset Yellow. A red flag (Southampton Six x1) cuts the score by 20%. The 4 for risk comes mainly from free sugar (66.6 g per 100 g).
Claims vs reality
What the pack says, checked against the ingredient list and nutrition panel.
- Product nameHolds
“Orange Marmalade”
Orange juice, extract and shreds make up 51% of the jar.
- On the packBe careful
“Centre of cap, if it makes a sound do not buy pack”
A seal check, not a quality claim.
How EC4 breaks down
Each grade is scored on its own. Here are the label numbers behind each one, per 100 g.
Very low nutrient density
- Protein
- 0.1 g
- Fibre
- Not declared
- Vitamins and minerals
- None declared
- Energy
- 276 kcal
Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal.
Mixed processing and additives
- Base
- Sugar
- Sweeteners
- Sugar
- Additives
- 4
- Flagged
- Sunset Yellow FCF, Sodium Benzoate
Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.
High risk
- Added sugar
- 66.6 g
- Sodium
- 46 mg
- Saturated fat
- 0 g
- Trans fat
- 0 g
Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.
[R] Contains an ingredient on our red-flag list (such as a partially hydrogenated oil or a flagged synthetic dye), which cuts the ingredient grade.
A closer look
Does the label add up?
Sugar, orange juice and orange extract (46%), orange shreds (5%), gelling agent (INS 440), acidity regulator (INS 330), nature-identical flavouring substances (orange), food colour (INS 110) and preservatives (INS 211, INS 224).
Per 100 g: 276 kcal, 0 g fat of which 0 g saturated, 68.2 g sugar of which 66.6 g added, 0.1 g protein, 46 mg sodium. The allergen line reads contains sulphite, may contain soy. The panel in the enlarged image and the small back panel give the same values. Fibre is not declared.
Ingredients to watch
- Sunset yellowConcern
INS 110 is a Southampton Six dye and cuts the ingredients score by 20%.
- Added sugarConcern
66.6 g per 100 g.
- PreservativesWorth watching
Potassium metabisulphite (INS 224) costs 3 points; the pack declares sulphite.
- FruitFine
Orange juice, extract and shreds are 51%.
Common misconceptions
Myth: "Marmalade is a healthy preserve"
Sugar is the first ingredient and added sugar is 66.6 g per 100 g.
Myth: "The orange colour is natural"
Sunset yellow (INS 110) is added.
How often, and how
- Healthy adultsA thin spread a few times a week
- ChildrenOccasionally
- Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally, watch the sugar
Smarter ways to eat it
Thin spread
A 15 g spoon is about 41 kcal and 10 g of added sugar.
Compare labels
Choose a jar without added colour.
Common questions
Is Tops Orange Marmalade Jam healthy?
Tops Orange Marmalade Jam scores EC4 (Poor) on CleanPlate, which makes it best kept as a rare treat rather than a regular buy. The main concerns are: Contains Sunset Yellow FCF; High added sugar (66.6g per 100g); Contains Sodium Benzoate. On the plus side: Low sodium.
What does the EC4 score mean?
The first letter (E) grades nutritional value: very low nutrient density. The second letter (C) grades ingredient and label integrity: mixed processing and additives. The number (4) grades risk nutrients (sugar, sodium, saturated fat): high risk.
Which ingredients in Tops Orange Marmalade Jam should I watch?
Food Colour (INS 110) (Sunset Yellow FCF), Preservatives (INS 211, INS 224) (Sodium Benzoate).
Last reviewed October 19, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label.
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