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Ban on ketchup sachets is down to Burnham and not the EU, says No 10
Downing Street says any plan to ban single-serving condiment sachets in Britain would be a UK decision, not a requirement of closer ties with the EU. The clarification follows reports that Andy Burnham was considering ending their use in cafes and restaurants, and comes as the government plans a consultation on alignment with EU rules.
The EU has prohibited single-use plastic condiment packaging in catering, and the ban will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor framework, but not elsewhere in the UK under the planned EU reset. Campaigners estimate 855 billion sachets are used worldwide each year, many discarded unopened. The article also says the prime minister is expected to meet EU leaders on 20 November to discuss a wider deal covering food and drink standards and other cooperation.
In short
- No 10 says any British sachet ban would be a UK choice.
- The EU rule will apply in Northern Ireland, not the rest of the UK.
- The government is planning a consultation on alignment.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
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The case for
A UK ban could reduce plastic waste from sachets that are often discarded unopened, addressing a problem that voluntary changes may not solve at scale. If the EU’s approach offers a practical model, adopting a similar rule could also support consistent standards in catering and wider cooperation with European partners.
The case against
A ban would restrict businesses’ choice of packaging and could add costs or inconvenience for cafes, restaurants and customers, particularly where single servings help with hygiene, portion control or takeaway service. Since the EU rule would not require a ban across most of the UK, opponents could argue that any change should follow evidence of its benefits and a UK-specific assessment rather than be introduced as part of closer alignment.
Explained simply
Condiment sachets are small, single-use packets of ketchup, mayonnaise and other sauces, commonly offered in cafés and restaurants. They are often made with plastic and can be difficult to recycle, particularly when thrown away with food still inside.
The EU has banned single-use plastic condiment packaging in catering. Under the Windsor framework, that rule applies in Northern Ireland; it does not automatically apply in the rest of the UK, where any similar change would be a UK decision.
The issue sits alongside wider talks about how closely Britain and the EU should align rules for food and drink. Those discussions matter because they can affect businesses that sell or serve food across the UK and EU.
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