If you have planned a holiday in a European country, this WINEyou can notice a big difference when you dine out.
A new rule will come into force from August 2026 which will ban a common dinner basis from all Restaurants and bars.
Under new European Union Rules, all bags of ketchup and mayo are set to disappear.
And you’ll likely notice a few other things being replaced, too.
(Photo: Shutterstock / rblfmr)
According to EU regulation 2025/40, single-use plastic packaging for spices is being banned in the catering sector.
The best subway deals
Get exclusive discounts with Metro offers – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher
Spa gift: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch and prosecco — save up to 57% off.
Mysterious escape: Hotel stay with return flights from £92 – save on holiday packages around the world.
Beach Residence (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holidays with flights — save up to 58%.
This includes single use plastic packaging for preserves, sauces, coffee cream, sugar and spices.
Instead of single-use plastic, food businesses will be required to replace bags and pots with reusable dispensers or shared containers.
The only exception to this rule is if single-use packaging is given to someone receiving the food for immediate consumption, or if packaging is required to ensure safety and hygiene in facilities where there are medical requirements, such as in a hospital or nursing home.
The changes are part of a strategy to reduce plastic waste Europe.
Online, there have been mixed responses to the new rule, with some thinking it’s a ‘good’ idea, while others are concerned about the hygiene of sharing bottles.
On X (ex-Twitter), a user known as @HackForumsNet agreed that single-use bags are ‘useless’, saying: ‘The restaurant should have bottles or large pump containers with those little paper cups. If you’re taking (food) home, drink ketchup at home.’
@IamNORNISSE also thought it was for the best, declaring: ‘Well I absolutely despise those packs.’
However, @diegedank wasn’t convinced, writing: ‘The funny thing is: In the past, big ketchup bottles were common. They were then banned due to hygiene standards. The lifting of these small packages began. Now they are banning them.’
And @KekBunny commented: ‘shared ketchup bottles are always sticky, with 50 strangers’ fingerprints on them.’
Do you think the ban is a good idea?
This follows a confusion if EU rules for marmalade would affect the United Kingdom.
In April, it was claimed that a new food deal between the UK government and the EU would result in marmalade getting a new name.
This is because the definition of marmalade has been relaxed Brusselsand as such, all traditional citrus-based marmalades must now be clearly labeled and sold as ‘citrus marmalade’.
But before you panic, there will be no changes here.
Under the rules, the word ‘citrus’ can be replaced by ‘orange’, and as most marmalade in the UK is already sold as orange marmalade, no name change is necessary.
a government spokesman said subway: ‘British marmalade is not changing; it will still be the same product available in our stores as it is now.
“British manufacturers match international standards to ensure our world-class products can be sold to a larger international market.
“Our deal with the EU supports businesses by removing the costly red tape that holds our exporters back from our largest trading partner.”
They added: “Crucially, our agreement secures the UK’s ability to shape the rules that affect our industry in the national interest.”
MORE: The “precious” Italian seaside city gets new direct flights to the UK today
MORE: The world-famous mountain resort will close its airport for 7 months
MORE: What time is the Tube strike tomorrow and which lines are affected?
