The new rule must be applied in all European countries from August 2026, and it prohibits restaurants and hotels from using individual sachets of ketchup or mayonnaise, for example, but it will also apply to olive oil, salt and other seasonings in plastic sachets.

The changes are foreseen in the (EU) 2025/40 regulation, which is part of a strategy to reduce plastic waste in the bloc.

As per EU document, there will be restrictions on the “single-use plastic packaging for condiments, preserves, sauces, coffee creamer, sugar, and seasoning in HORECA [HOtels, REstaurants, and CAfés] sector”. The same document also highlights that the restrictions will not be applied to when “packaging is provided together with take-away ready-prepared food intended for immediate consumption without the need of any further preparation”, or when “such packaging is required to ensure safety and hygiene in establishments where there is a medical requirement for individualised care, such as hospitals, clinics or nursing homes.”

When not meeting those criteria, food facilities must use reusable dispensers or shared containers.