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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 10:11am

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Airtaine

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Spain is officially in line with EU policy, which means ketchup and sugar sachets are now public enemy number one.

🇪🇺🍅

Yes, while we were all minding our own business, Spain looked at tiny packets of ketchup and sugar and said,

“Enough. You’ve had it too good for too long.” Yes, as part of the grand European tradition of regulation, Spain has bravely stepped up to say: “No more tiny packets of joy.”

Soon, eating out will involve dramatic moments like committing to a full bottle of ketchup or staring at your coffee, whispering “I guess we’re doing this… unsweetened.” No more sneaky extra sachets in your pocket “just in case.” No more emotional support sugar packets.

One bottle of ketchup for the whole table (trust issues included) and coffee that dares you to “appreciate the flavor.”

Will this help reduce waste?

Probably.

Will it stop people hoarding napkins and arguing over who touched the ketchup bottle last?

Unclear.

Will this save the planet?
Maybe.
Will it emotionally prepare us for dry chips and bitter coffee?
Absolutely not.
Either way, dining out just became a slightly more character-building experience — all in the name of EU harmony.

So… what do people think about this?

Smart environmental move or peak Brussels energy gone too far?
Sensible eco-move or the beginning of the end of civilisation as we know it? 😏

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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 3:34pm

Alicia 11

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Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2026 3:34pm

Never knew what was wrong with the bottles anyway. At least it will stop sachets of sauce being scattered obout the areas by fast food outlets. Why did stop the olive oil in bottles a waste of oil in the small pots or not enough the Spanish as they use lots.

Don't know what they will use for wonky tables though without sugar sachets.!

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2026 12:51pm

Jenni

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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2026 12:51pm

Great post very funny

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2026 1:24pm

Airtaine

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Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2026 1:24pm

Jenni wrote on Sat Jan 24, 2026 12:51pm:
Great post very funny

Thank you

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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:43pm

Gabi55

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Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:43pm

Finally. I hope that those damn little oil and vinegar sachets disappear too and will be recplaced with bottles. I found it shocking and a soooo environmentally destructive. What a waste of resources and what a production of plastic rubbish. Nothing wrong with bottles and way more economical. The phobia of someone touching the same thing? Well how many people touch door knobs and supermarket trolleys?

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 8:46am

Airtaine

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 8:46am

Gabi55 wrote on Sun Jan 25, 2026 7:43pm:
Finally. I hope that those damn little oil and vinegar sachets disappear too and will be recplaced with bottles. I found it shocking and a soooo environmentally destructive. What a waste of resources and what a production of plastic rubbish. Nothing wrong with bottles and way more economical. The...

Read more...

... phobia of someone touching the same thing? Well how many people touch door knobs and supermarket trolleys?

To be clear (before anyone accuses me of fake news or ketchup denial): this one’s actually real. In line with EU policy, all those tiny plastic condiment packets are on the way out. Ketchup, mayo, sugar, the lot — officially outlawed in the name of reducing plastic waste.

Environmentally? Sensible.
Emotionally? I’m still processing the loss of the emergency ketchup sachet.

And yes, I know some people recoil at the idea of shared bottles — but full disclosure: I’ve never stopped using hand sanitiser since the bad old COVID days. At this point it’s less a habit and more a lifestyle choice. And honestly? I think I’ve had fewer colds since. Coincidence? Science? Or just eternal vigilance and 70% alcohol?

So while this post was written with tongue firmly in cheek, the change is real — and we’ll all be adapting, sanitiser in one hand, communal ketchup bottle in the other.

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:43am

DarioMartin

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:43am

Airtaine wrote on Mon Jan 26, 2026 8:46am:
To be clear (before anyone accuses me of fake news or ketchup denial): this one’s actually real. In line with EU policy, all those tiny plastic condiment packets are on the way out. Ketchup, mayo, sugar, the lot — officially outlawed in the name of reducing plastic waste.

Environmentally? Sensible.
Emotionally? I’m still processing the loss of the emergency ketchup sachet....

Read more...

...

And yes, I know some people recoil at the idea of shared bottles — but full disclosure: I’ve never stopped using hand sanitiser since the bad old COVID days. At this point it’s less a habit and more a lifestyle choice. And honestly? I think I’ve had fewer colds since. Coincidence? Science? Or just eternal vigilance and 70% alcohol?

So while this post was written with tongue firmly in cheek, the change is real — and we’ll all be adapting, sanitiser in one hand, communal ketchup bottle in the other.

How long one wonders before visitors to a restaurant are mandated to bring their OWN mayonnaise, ketchup or other required condiments … 😁😂

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 12:37pm

Airtaine

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 12:37pm

DarioMartin wrote on Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:43am:
How long one wonders before visitors to a restaurant are mandated to bring their OWN mayonnaise, ketchup or other required condiments … 😁😂

How long, indeed, before diners are politely reminded to bring their own mayonnaise, ketchup, or other “optional extras”? One can easily imagine restaurants reframing the absence of condiments as empowerment—“curate your own saucy journey,” they’ll say—while offering a thimble of ketchup at a boutique kiosk by the toilets for a modest fee.

From there it’s a slippery slope: BYO salt, BYO pepper, BYO cutlery if supplies are “unexpectedly delayed.” Naturally, business will step in. Enter the Condiment Concierge, loitering outside with a coat full of sachets, or subscription-based mayonnaise-as-a-service, inexplicably backed by venture capital.

And when you query the naked chips, the explanation will be serene and final: “We felt the food should stand on its own.” Which is lovely in theory—less so in practice, as you chew, dry-eyed and sauce-less, mourning a more generous age.

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 3:41pm

DarioMartin

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 3:41pm

Airtaine wrote on Mon Jan 26, 2026 12:37pm:
How long, indeed, before diners are politely reminded to bring their own mayonnaise, ketchup, or other “optional extras”? One can easily imagine restaurants reframing the absence of condiments as empowerment—“curate your own saucy journey,” they’ll say—while offering a thimble of...

Read more...

... ketchup at a boutique kiosk by the toilets for a modest fee.

From there it’s a slippery slope: BYO salt, BYO pepper, BYO cutlery if supplies are “unexpectedly delayed.” Naturally, business will step in. Enter the Condiment Concierge, loitering outside with a coat full of sachets, or subscription-based mayonnaise-as-a-service, inexplicably backed by venture capital.

And when you query the naked chips, the explanation will be serene and final: “We felt the food should stand on its own.” Which is lovely in theory—less so in practice, as you chew, dry-eyed and sauce-less, mourning a more generous age.

Until finally they invite to bring your own food, which they will cook for you

For a fee, of course

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:52pm

Gabi55

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Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2026 7:52pm

I applaud Spain for the decision. Those sachets have been a thorn in my eyes from the start I saw them. This conversation is turning ridiculous. Don’t know why people get hung up on tiny sachets being removed which is the best thing that could happen. Hate having to use 5+ little things. Prefer a bottle that allows me to serve in one lot as much as I need. Those darn little plastic sachets are a pain to open, contain next to nothing and fill the environment with a mountain of plastic of which we have been eating particles in our food and is damaging people’s gut and health around the world.