Ketchup and mayo sachets could be banned from British cafes and pubs under Burnham's push to align with EU rules

Environment minister Emma Hardy confirmed in a written parliamentary answer that a consultation on UK-wide alignment with the EU's single-use plastic sachet ban is being planned, as part of Andy Burnham's broader EU-reset agenda. Tory shadow minister Mike Wood accused Labour of "giving away the flavour of our sausage sandwiches." The EU rules, covering ketchup, mayo, sugar, salt, oil and vinegar sachets, take full effect from January 2030.

The ban already applies in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, which requires it to follow certain EU goods rules.

The hospitality sector faces further pressure — already reeling from minimum wage rises, higher employment taxes and business rate increases.

Chancellor John Healey and Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds both declined this week to back Burnham's stated wish to rejoin the EU.