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Sliced Bread

Sliced Bread

BBC Radio 4 203 Episodes Jul 23, 2026

Sliced Bread is a BBC Radio 4 series that investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Host Greg Foot speaks to experts, dives into data, and performs tests to determine if these products live up to the hype. New episodes are released weekly on Thursdays, with early access on BBC Sounds.

Episodes

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Kitchen Sponges, Cloths and Brushes
Sliced Bread - Series 17: Kitchen Sponges, Cloths and Brushes Jul 23, 2026 1545 Which is the most hygienic for cleaning your kitchen?Most of us will be familiar with the cheap packs of coloured kitchen sponges with the abrasive tops, used for washing dishes and wiping surfaces. But could they be harbouring a host of bacterial baddies?Listener Caroline wants to know as she uses them regularly and even goes as far as running them through the washing machine to keep them cleaner
Sliced Bread - Series 17: Robotic Lawnmowers
Sliced Bread - Series 17: Robotic Lawnmowers Jul 16, 2026 1743 Can robotic lawnmowers save you time without hassling hedgehogs?Listener Pat has seen adverts for robotic lawnmowers and has lots of questions: Do they cut effectively? How do they manage with edges and flower borders? And what about avoiding wildlife and other objects in the garden?To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by BBC Gardeners' World magazine's tech reviewer Harry Duncton, alongside
Sliced Bread - Series 17: Gut Microbiome Tests
Sliced Bread - Series 17: Gut Microbiome Tests Jul 10, 2026 1659 Can a test tell you what's living inside your gut - and what to do about it?That's what listener Pete Mace asked us, kicking off a brand new series of Sliced Bread! He's seen 'gut microbiome tests' advertised by ZOE, Randox Health and others. They promise to tell you about the bacteria - and other bugs - currently making your intestines their home. Many also claim they'll use this information to
Toast - Series 7: Orange
Toast - Series 7: Orange Jul 2, 2026 1491 Orange was once one of the most recognisable brands in Britain — a mobile network with its iconic slogan “The future’s bright, the future’s Orange”, it helped turn mobile phones from elite business tools into everyday essentials.But while the Orange name still exists globally, its mobile service disappeared from the UK. So what happened?BBC Business journalist Sean Farrington investigates how Oran
Toast - Series 7: Izal Medicated Toilet Paper
Toast - Series 7: Izal Medicated Toilet Paper Jun 25, 2026 1602 Izal medicated toilet paper was once a staple of British bathrooms - a curious cultural icon, remembered as much for its distinctive feel as for its antiseptic promise. Produced for decades by the Sheffield‑based company Newton, Chambers & Co., Izal became woven into the fabric of schools, hospitals and public buildings across the UK.So how did a product that was everywhere for so long, end up
Toast - Series 7: Paperchase
Toast - Series 7: Paperchase Jun 18, 2026 1743 Why did the popular stationery chain, Paperchase, end up closing all of its shops?The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates in the company of resident entrepreneur, Sam White. Paperchase was founded by two former art students in the late 1960s and went on to become the design darling of the high street, known for its charming greeting cards, wrapping paper, stationery, gifts and a
Toast - Series 7: EasyCinema
Toast - Series 7: EasyCinema Jun 11, 2026 1855 The EasyJet founder, Sir Stelios Haji-Iannou, tried to shake up the cinema industry by introducing low-cost movie theatres. Tickets were priced as low as 20p for customers who booked in advance. So, why didn't EasyCinema take off?Stelios speaks to the BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, reflecting on his attempts in the early 2000s to bring to UK cinemas the same dynamic pricing that had re
Toast - Series 7: Wilko
Toast - Series 7: Wilko Jun 4, 2026 1800 Wilkinson - or Wilko as it became known - was a privately-owned family business that had been successful for decades, offering low-priced household products from its chain of high street stores. So why did it falter during a cost-of-living crisis when people were looking for value? The BBC Business journalist, Sean Farrington, investigates how its stores ended up toast, in the company of resident
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Food Containers
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Food Containers May 28, 2026 1969 Is it ok to store food in plastic containers?That's the question put by listener Joe Tattersall in this, the last episode in the current series of 'Sliced Bread'. Joe's noticed scuffs and abrasions on his reusable plastic containers and is concerned about whether that increases the risk of 'chemical leaching' into his food, or ingesting microplastics. He's keen to know if alternatives like glass,
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Cat Litter
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Cat Litter May 21, 2026 1497 What kind of cat litter is best for cats, owners and the environment?After we looked at dog poo bags for an episode, it's only right that we answer some questions for the cat lovers, around cat litter. Listener Ella got in touch to ask about it, after adopting her Sphynx indoor cat, Mr. Big (short for Mr. Bigglesworth). She wanted to know: what is the most absorbent cat litter that doesn't smell,
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice May 14, 2026 1428 Do ergonomic devices like split keyboards and vertical mice help with comfort and health?If you're a heavy computer user there are an increasing variety of weird and wonderful options to help improve your comfort and reduce the risk of aches and pains associated with 'Repetitive Strain Injury' (RSI).Listener Tim is curious whether ergonomic tools—such as split keyboards, alternative layouts, or ve
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Vibration Plates
Sliced Bread - Series 16: Vibration Plates May 7, 2026 1808 Can Vibration Plates help with fitness, bone density, and even lymphatic drainage?They've been around for a while but vibration plates seem to be having another 'moment'. Originally touted as a piece of fitness kit for the gym or home, the latest ads on social media seem to be promoting claims around benefits to bone density and lymphatic drainage.Listeners Natasha and Steve got in touch wanting t

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