Beans on toast soap: Edible soap aims to highlight hygiene poverty
A beans on toast flavoured edible soap has been launched to raise awareness of the choice some families face between buying food and hygiene products.The Goodwash Company, from Barry, and The Hygiene Bank charity have produced the UK's first edible soap as part of a campaign to highlight hygiene poverty and to call for VAT on hygiene products to be cut.Hygiene poverty was found to affect an estimated 4.2 million adults in the UK last year, according to research conducted by YouGov on behalf of The Hygiene Bank.Currently, soap and other essential hygiene products are subject to a 20% VAT rate, treating them as non-essential items.
The Hygiene Bank has started a petition calling for a change in tax around this. The Treasury has been approached for comment. Speaking to BBC Radio Wales, Mandy Powell, CEO and co-founder of skin care brand The Goodwash Company, said she thought she would originally make a breakfast bar with oats and seaweed as a talking point about hygiene poverty."I went back to them with the idea and they said, no, we want a proper evening meal bar of soap, something like beans on toast or a chicken tikka masala," she said."So I'm back to the team and I said I think this is going to be a little bit more difficult than I originally thought. But here we are 12 months later and we've got beans on toast soap." The soap is flavoured to taste like beans on toast, and is made out of cacao butter, organic oat flour, avocado oil and paprika as well as beans and toast flavouring.
It is also possible to buy a virtual version of the soap on The Goodwash Company's website for £15, which according to The Hygiene Bank is the average cost of soap over a year. All profits from the sale of the edible soap go directly to The Hygiene Bank."It is quite fun, but there is a serious message behind it," Ms Powell said. Speaking about the campaign to cut VAT on hygiene products, Ruth Brock, CEO of The Hygiene Bank, said soap was a necessity, "not a luxury"."This campaign is about more than just VAT reform - it's about recognising hygiene as a fundamental right," she added.
The soap has also caught the attention of Michelin star chefs in London where they have been adding shavings to the food. "There's been about eight or ten Michelin star chefs in London that have requested the soap bar," Ms Powell added.She added the chefs have been adding it to their dishes or including it on their restaurant menu to raise awareness of the campaign, describing it as "amazing".One such chef is Chantelle Nicholson, owner of Mayfair restaurant Apricity, who has paired the soap with mushrooms and wild garlic.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Award-winning bar & restaurant in UK seaside town to close after 10 years as owner teases ‘it's just the beginning'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MUCH-LOVED bar and restaurant is set to close its doors after almost a decade in the heart of the seaside town. Ojo Rojo, located in the Bournemouth Triangle, has announced it will be leaving the area after ten years of serving up tacos, cocktails, and a lively Mexican atmosphere. 4 Ojo Rojo, earned a spot in the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars for three years running Credit: Facebook / Ojo Rojo 4 Locals have responded with an outpouring of emotion, sharing memories and messages of support on social media Credit: Facebook / Ojo Rojo 4 From its diverse cocktail menu featuring house-made syrups and infusions, to its proud selection of agave spirits Credit: Facebook / Ojo Rojo Founded in Bournemouth, Dorset, by Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, Ojo Rojo made a name for itself with its bold flavours, mezcal-based drinks, and vibrant setting. It even earned a spot in the UK's Top 50 Cocktail Bars for three years running. The news was first reported by the Bournemouth Echo, who spoke with co-founders Trevor Hill and JJ Adams, confirming the closure is a 'strategic move' shaped by 'national industry pressure and local challenges.' But they've made it clear – this isn't the end. 'After nearly ten years of tacos, mezcal, music and magic, it's time for a new chapter,' they said. 'Ojo Rojo is moving on. Not because we've lost what makes us special but because we're ready to take everything that we've learnt and shape it into something stronger.' Locals have responded with an outpouring of emotion, sharing memories and messages of support on social media. Rachel Grant posted: 'Our first date venue, where will we go for our anniversary now.' Kelly Marie Young added: 'Such a shame! We love this restaurant.' Restaurant chain owned by Michelin-starred chef is on brink of collapse 16 years after it first opened Others praised the team's effort. There's also been frustration about the wider town centre. Ojo Rojo is well known for its dedication to authentic Mexican culture. From its diverse cocktail menu featuring house-made syrups and infusions, to its proud selection of agave spirits, the bar has drawn fans from across the South Coast. 'Our ambition is to revolutionise the well-known taco, while educating people about the deep-rooted Mexican culture,' reads a statement on their website. 'We are passionate that everyone who comes into contact with us feels refreshed.' The venue, which includes a downstairs bar, upstairs dining, and an outdoor hacienda, will continue to operate for a short while longer. Its sister site, Hacienda Harden, is also set to close. The owners remain hopeful and committed to the future. 'You reminded us what this place means to people and why this next chapter matters so much, from me, Jayjay and the whole office thank you so much for all the love,' they said. 'We're here for a little bit longer. Remember we are not done yet… This is just the beginning. "We want to build what comes next with you. Because whatever that next version looks like, it's going to have the same soul – yours.' Ojo Rojo's closure adds to a growing list of businesses shutting their doors in Bournemouth and across the UK. In Bournemouth, the Winton branch of WHSmith closed earlier this year, and the town has seen other high street names disappear amid rising costs and shifting shopping habits. Nationally, the retail and hospitality sectors are facing significant challenges. Department store Beales, which first opened in Bournemouth in 1881, closed its last remaining store in Poole in May 2025, citing increased operational costs and tax burdens. Other notable closures include Karen's Diner in Islington, which shut its final UK branch in June 2025 after its parent company went into liquidation with £400,000 in debt. Fashion retailer River Island is reportedly developing a radical rescue plan amid financial struggles, with store closures and job losses being potential outcomes. The Original Factory Shop is undergoing significant restructuring, with several stores across regions such as Worcestershire, Durham, and Cumbria slated to shut down this month. These closures highlight the broader economic pressures facing UK businesses, including rising operational costs, changing consumer behaviours, and increased competition from online retailers. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans
NBC News
5 days ago
- NBC News
Trump airs frustrations with Xi and Powell over elusive economic goals
President Donald Trump's overnight volley of social media posts revealed his frustrations with decision makers whose cooperation he needs to secure some of his top economic objectives. Early Wednesday morning, Trump pointed to fresh data from private payroll processor ADP showing the weakest monthly jobs total since March 2023 as further evidence that the Federal Reserve should lower interest rates to make borrowing easier for consumers and businesses. 'ADP NUMBER OUT!!! 'Too Late' Powell must now LOWER THE RATE. He is unbelievable!!! Europe has lowered NINE TIMES!' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. (The European Central Bank has in fact cut interest rates seven times since last June.) The remarks extend the president's long-running, unprecedented pressure campaign on the Fed chief, whom he invited to the White House last week and renewed that demand in person. The meeting prompted a terse statement from the central bank emphasizing its independence from political influence. Trump's post early Wednesday came after a separate one he posted overnight complaining about his efforts to reach a new trade agreement with China and its president, Xi Jinping. 'I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!' Trump wrote at 2:17 a.m. After campaigning on immediate economic relief for U.S. households, Trump has spent his first several months back in the White House attempting to rewrite the rules of global trade in America's favor. In the process, he and his top officials have sought to check voters' expectations as the U.S. presses dozens of countries for new trade deals that many have proved less eager to strike as swiftly as the administration has hoped. Meanwhile, court rulings have gummed up some of the president's unprecedented tariff agenda, which economists increasingly say could trigger 'stagflation' — higher inflation alongside lower growth and higher unemployment. Trump is also grappling with pushback on his massive agenda bill from Elon Musk — previously his highest-profile and most-well-resourced ally — after the tech titan called the bill a 'disgusting abomination' Tuesday. NBC News reported Wednesday that House Speaker Mike Johnson said Trump is 'not happy' about Musk's '180' on his agenda. Trump has not directly commented on Musk's comments. The Congressional Budget Office now projects the bill will add $2.4 trillion to the national debt over the next 10 years. Trump has brushed aside the concerns, using the presidential bully pulpit to assign blame to those he perceives as obstacles to his economic agenda — messages that senior administration officials are amplifying. 'The President did say that he believes the Fed chair is making a mistake by not lowering interest rates, which is putting us at an economic disadvantage to China and other countries,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said last week about his meeting with Powell. 'The President's been very vocal about that, both publicly and now I can reveal privately as well.' Forthcoming economic data may fan the president's frustrations anew. Analysts expect fresh federal jobs data later this week to show 125,000 U.S. job gains last month, fewer than the 177,000 added in April. That report is due for release Friday morning, a day after the European Central Bank is widely expected to lower rates again when it updates its monetary policy on Thursday. But Europe's economic outlook is far more uncertain than that of the United States. Inflation in the Euro area now hovers below the ECB's target of 2% as the bloc has grown just 0.3% in the first quarter. Typically the economic engine of the region, Germany has contracted for two years in a row and trade tension could make matters worse. In general, E.U. growth has been hit by weaker energy prices, slower wage growth, and a strengthening currency that have all put pressure on business activity. By contrast, Goldman Sachs expects U.S. GDP to expand by more than 3% in the second quarter. If Trump has been frustrated so far, he may still hold some cards that allows him to see his agenda through — though it may involve relenting on some key issues. Earlier this week, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller — a Trump appointee — gave an updated view of the current economic landscape. 'As of today, I see downside risks to economic activity and employment and upside risks to inflation in the second half of 2025,' Waller said Monday at a conference in South Korea, 'but how these risks evolve is strongly tied to how trade policy evolves.'
Time Out
5 days ago
- Time Out
The two luxurious London hotels named among the best in the world
On the look out for somewhere to spend a night in true, unadulterated luxury? Look no further. Every year, the prestigious hospitality guide, La Liste, unveils what it believes to be the 1000 most exceptional hotels in the world. Now, it's pick of the greatest stays for 2025 is out. Like the guide's selection of the finest restaurants in the world, this ranking spans Europe, Asia and the Americas and has been created through a 'sophisticated algorithm' that analyses thousands of reviews, professional judgements and guest feedback from more than 400 international sources. The result, it says, is an 'objective evaluation that transcends cultural preferences and regional biases'. Once the numbers had been crunched, ten hotels emerged as the very best in the world, with near-perfect scores of 99.5 out of 100. And two of them happen to be London's most well-known five-star establishments: The Connaught in Mayfair and The Savoy on the Strand. The Connaught La Liste judges said: 'The Connaught balances storied tradition with bold innovation. Its legendarily attentive service, helmed by the world's finest butlers, transforms each stay into a narrative of timeless refinement.' The butlers at the Connaught really do wait on guests hand and foot. They'll unpack and pack all your luggage if you so wish, can bring you late-night snacks at the drop of a hat and are even trained in shoe care by expert cobblers, if your shoes happen to need shining. Beyond the service, this lavish hotel has three restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred, and a legendary bar that feels like you've stepped straight into a Bond movie. There's also an opulent spa featuring a black granite swimming pool, a steam room infused with essential oils and a fitness area. Obviously, such luxury doesn't come cheap. If you fancy a stay there you'll need to fork out anything from £800 to £3000 a night. The Savoy La Liste called the Savoy 'an enduring icon of British cultural identity'. To give you an idea of just how iconic this place is, it's hosted huge names like Martin Luther King Jr, the Rolling Stones and Marilyn Monroe and it's where young Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip made their debut, where Monet painted the Thames and where Vivien Leigh met Laurence Olivier. It's also the place popularised the martini in Britain. Judges added that the hotel, which dates back to 1889, 'transcends mere hospitality to embody an entire era of sophistication. Its rooms-witnessing over a century of history-continue to set the standard for luxurious restraint while its legendary American Bar remains the spiritual home of cocktail artistry.' A stay here costs between £750 and £2200 a night. The only other city to have to hotels in La Liste's top ten was Paris. See the full list of the world's top ten hotels, according to La Liste, here.
