Sliced Bread

Why did the package holiday brand, Club 18-30, disappear? While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of brands which had promised so much to consumers. In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea. What did it promise? Why did it fail? What can we learn from it today? In this episode, which was firs...

Why did sales of the best-selling soft drink, Sunny Delight, suddenly bomb in the 1990s? While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of brands which had promised so much to consumers. In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea. What did it promise? Why did it fail? What can we learn from it today?...

Why did Toys R Us have to close all of its UK superstores in 2018? While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of brands which had promised so much to consumers. In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea. What did it promise? Why did it fail? What can we learn from it today? In this Christmas spec...

Can changing your sheets be good for you - and the environment? We've had loads of requests to look at the best way to make your bed - specifically, how all the different options for sheets and pillowcases compare. Cotton seems to be king when it comes to popularity, but is it justified? Listener Rosemary is a linen fan, but wants to know whether eucalyptus bedding lives up to the hype. How do its...

Which Christmas tree is better for the environment - real or fake? Everyone loves the smell of a freshly cut pine or spruce but the vast majority of them go to landfill. So would a plastic tree be better? Listener Eleanor wants to have a more sustainable Christmas and has some great questions. Is there a better way to dispose of your real tree? How about a pot-grown tree you could use again the ne...

Are expensive sports bras worth the money? Buying a sports bra can be a baffling experience, not least because of the marketing terminology which is full of buzz-phrases like 'high intensity support', 'specialist materials' and 'racer backs'. Listener Teresa has seen sports bras ranging in price from just a few pounds to three figures and wants to know if paying more means you get greater support....

Trying to buy a new vacuum cleaner can be a pretty confusing experience. Do you go bagged or bagless? Corded or cordless? Is it worth paying extra for something with anti hair wrap tech? Or forking out for a robot to do it all for you? That's what listener Sally is tempted by - she wants to know if a robot will clean as well as a regular handheld version. Listener Rachel wants advice on which feat...

Do the claims made about Ice Baths hold water? Social media appears to be filled with countless people sitting blissfully in small inflatable ‘ice baths’. Fans of such ‘cold water therapy’ claim that taking a chilly plunge will boost your energy levels, reduce your stress, help you sleep better, and supercharge your recovery after a workout. Listener Laura wants to know if the science backs that u...

How green can your loo roll be? Lots of companies have sprung up offering what they say are the most eco-friendly ways to wipe - and there's a lot to think about. Listener Barbara buys recycled toilet paper - and wants to know if she's better off buying one of the bamboo options on the market. Jo already buys bamboo but is curious about the difference packaging and delivery options make. To get th...

Can Smart Thermostats save you money on energy bills? Temperatures are falling and conversations are already turning to whether or not the heating has been turned on! Although energy prices have come down a little since last year, the withdrawal of universal Government support to alleviate the cost could mean bills stay high for a lot of people. Listener Wendy is already doing a lot to save money...

Greg Foot gets queasy in the name of science as he investigates the range of products promising to help with motion sickness. Do the pills, wristbands or breathing techniques which claim to stop you from feeling sick on planes, trains and automobiles actually work? To find out, Greg heads to Professor John Golding's laboratory at the University of Westminster where a spinning chair is used to indu...

Do weighted blankets reduce stress and help you sleep better? They’ve gone from a middle-aisle fad to being a regular fixture in supermarkets and online stores. Weighted blankets can cost upto £200 and promise to give you a deeper, more restful sleep. But do they? Listener Theresa wanted to know about the science behind them. What is it about the ‘deep touch’ or ‘deep pressure’ stimulation that th...

Induction hobs are not just a fashionable addition to a new kitchen, but are also sold as a more efficient choice than a gas hob. How do they compare? Is cooking on an electric induction hob better for the planet? And what about our health? Listener Roisin wants to know if they are an economical choice but worries they might affect her mum's pacemaker, while listener Anna is concerned about indoor...

Is vaping harmful to your health and to the environment? I'm back with a new series of Sliced Bread and I'm kicking off with a topic many of you have suggested - vapes. They've become controversial largely because of the rise in single-use, or disposable, vapes. Nearly eight million are sold in the UK each week, a figure that's doubled in the past year. And according to the organisation Material F...

If you are heading somewhere tropical this summer, or just want to protect yourself from bites in your own back garden, then which mosquito repellents can you trust? Greg Foot gets up close and personal with a box full of hungry mosquitoes to find out. Is it all about DEET or are there alternatives which are just as effective? What about citronella? And how well do bracelets, patches and candles p...

This is one of your most-requested topics and as a keen runner myself I couldn’t wait to get into it. Barefoot shoes claim to encourage you to run in a more ‘natural’ way, landing on your mid or forefoot rather than on your heel. Some brands say they’ll increase your speed and reduce the likelihood of injury. But will they? Listener Sam runs marathons and wants to know if the science backs up the...

Owners clearing up after the UK's 11 million estimated pet dogs have a bewildering array of bags from which to choose. Some are labelled 'degradable', others are called 'biodegradable', 'compostable and biodegradable' or 'recycled.' So which ones are best for the environment? And what is the most environmentally friendly way of disposing of our dogs' doo? Greg Foot is on the case on behalf of list...

Which cycle helmets give you the best protection? I’m a big fan of cycling and so when listener Migue got in touch wanting to know what cycle helmet he should buy next, I was really keen to investigate. Migue wanted to know what factors make a cycle helmet the most effective when it comes to protecting your head: the shape, the material, the fit? He’s seen all sorts of neat tech, including collaps...

During the pandemic, as people sought to protect themselves from Corona Virus, more and more products entered the market claiming to use Ultra Violet light to clean your belongings. These vary from UV wands and lamps, to phone boxes and UV baby bottle sterilisers. You may have seen them advertised online, claiming to kill 99% of viruses and bacteria. But do they deliver, and are they worth it, com...

If you’ve ever made the mistake of going for a hike wearing just jeans and a t-shirt you’ll know it can be a pretty sweaty, uncomfortable experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are myriad products promising to keep you dry, warm and protected from whatever the weather can throw at you. Listener Julie is keen to know more about that after she went on an adventure holiday without the...

According to recycling charity Wrap, an estimated three billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK. Concerns over plastic waste and a want to save money have been driving a rise in the popularity of reusable nappies but, as listener Amy asks, are they really better for the planet, and your pocket? Me and the team speak to Wendy Richards, also known as The Nappy Lady. She runs one of the...

What works to help with the symptoms of hay fever? The better weather’s here but for the millions who have hay fever that just means a runny nose and itchy, streaming eyes. And for some people it’s seriously debilitating – listener Richard got in touch because his wife can’t go out and play with the kids in the spring and summer months. In this episode I’m investigating the treatments that claim t...

Sales of alcohol-free beer in the UK have more than tripled in the past five years, and you'll find more types of no and low-alcohol beer on sale in your local supermarket. But what does 'alcohol-free' really mean? And are these drinks always better for your health? Various listeners got in touch with us about this one, so we enlisted the help of two experts to answer their questions. Laura Willou...

Research suggests four in 10 of us do it and it can even get so bad it’s been blamed for the breakdown of relationships. Snoring can be a living nightmare for you and your partner. But what if there was something that works to give you – and the people around you – a more peaceful night’s sleep? Listener Neville got in touch with a recording taken by his wife of him snoring – and it’s pretty loud!...

While Sliced Bread takes a break we serve up… Toast. A study of the spectacular failures of wonder products and businesses which had promised so much to consumers. You can contact us at toast@bbc.co.uk In each episode, the presenter and BBC business journalist, Sean Farrington, examines one big idea which ended up toast, examining the reasons behind the failure and discovering what can we learn fr...