Ketchup and mayo sachets could be banned in British cafes and restaurants as Labour plans to align with EU rules

Environment minister Emma Hardy confirmed in a written parliamentary answer that a "consultation regarding UK alignment is being planned" on the EU's ban on single-use plastic sachets. The EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation already bans ketchup, mayo, sugar, salt, oil and vinegar sachets in restaurants from 2030, and Northern Ireland must follow it under the Windsor Framework.

Tory shadow minister Mike Wood accused Labour of giving away "the flavour of our sausage sandwiches" in its EU negotiations.

Campaigners say global sales of plastic sachets reach around 855 billion a year — a quantity that would blanket every square metre of the Earth's surface.

The move deepens Labour's Brexit row — two Cabinet ministers, John Healey and Jonathan Reynolds, this week declined to back Burnham's ambition to rejoin the EU.