Mini Marmite jars head for airport

LOVE it or hate it, Marmite is set to find a place in travellers’ hand luggage this summer as the malty, salty breakfast spread is being brought out in 70g jars to get round air travel restrictions.

Marmite has been soaring in popularity in recent years, especially among the under-30s, and 50million jars are sold each year – that is 6,000 tonnes of Marmite and 27 normal jars sold every minute.

News website This French Life greeted the news with a smile as the writer had been “caught out at the airport with too big a jar” and said Marmite was second in a list of confiscated branded foods at London City Airport, behind jams.

Priced at £1, it goes on sale from July 1 and joins other staples such as HP brown sauce and Colman's Mustard that are now holiday-friendly but will also be available in single portion 8g sachets. There is no word on whether beefy Bovril will follow suit.

The 70g Marmite jar is now produced on a separate production line from Bovril, which means that it has again been declared kosher for Jewish families.

Made in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, by Unilever, Marmite marks its 113rd birthday this year and has expanded its range to match its growing popularity – with a Marmite Easter Egg launched in April.

That followed a Ma-mite version launched for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, a limited edition Guinness Marmite in 2007 and Marmite champagne, especially for Valentine’s Day in 2008.

Despite its looks, the spread is vegetarian and is made from spent brewer’s yeast. It is named after the French marmite casserole dish as it was originally sold in earthenware pots.

It should never be kept in the fridge after opening as this can keep bacteria alive: the high salt content kills bacteria otherwise.