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BBC Radio 4

Sliced Bread is the series that investigates the latest ad-hyped products and trending fads promising to make us healthier, happier and greener. Are they really 'the best thing since sliced bread'? Science presenter Greg Foot finds out.

Greg speaks to experts on a bunk-busting mission to test the latest consumer trends chosen by listeners. Do they live up to the hype? Or are they just marketing BS?

Greg chats to the experts, dives into the data, performs tests and crunches the numbers before putting his findings back to the listener so they can decide if it's worth spending their hard earned money on.

New episodes of Sliced Bread are released weekly on Thursdays wherever you get your podcasts. But if you're in the UK, you can listen to the latest episode on BBC Sounds first, a week earlier than anywhere else. 

If you have a suggestion for a product to investigate, you can email the team on sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a WhatsApp voice note via the number 07543 306807.

Sliced Bread is produced by BBC Audio North for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Sliced Bread

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 make personalised diet recommendations, showing you exactly what you should and shouldn't eat to nurture the right bugs and improve your health.
 
Pete wants to know: what can these tests really tell you? And can they really provide a diet tailored precisely to your personal wellbeing?
 
To find out more, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Dr Nick Ilott, Senior Researcher and lead Bioinformatician at the Oxford Centre for Microbiome Studies; and Dr Fred Warren, group leader at the Quadram Institute who researches how gut microbes interact with food.
 
All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.
 
RESEARCHER: JULIA RAVEY
PRODUCERS: PHIL SANSOM AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 17: Gut Microbiome Tests

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 Orange took the UK by storm in the 1990s telecoms boom — and why, at home, it ultimately gave way to a new brand: EE.

Joined by resident business expert and entrepreneur Sam White, Sean explores the bold brand thinking that set Orange apart, the rapid growth that made it a takeover target, and the strategic turning points that reshaped the company.

Along the way, they hear from the people who built the brand, including founding marketer Chris Moss, former executives Linda Kennedy and Stuart Jackson, and former EE CEO Olaf Swantee, to understand how Orange captured the public imagination — and why it couldn’t remain a standalone mobile network in the UK.

At the end, Sam draws her own conclusions: as the future stayed bright but less Orange, was the brand overtaken by change — or did it choose to evolve into something new?

If you have an idea for an interesting Toast topic, email toast@bbc.co.uk.

This episode was produced by Linda Walker. Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Toast - Series 7: Orange

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 disappearing from shelves, surviving only in nostalgia, and uncomfortable memories?

BBC Business journalist Sean Farrington investigates how Izal medicated toilet paper went from national widespread use to historical footnote, joined by resident business expert and entrepreneur Sam White.

To uncover the story, Sean and Sam dig into industrial archives, public‑health records and the memories of those who grew up with the unmistakable crinkle of Izal. 

They hear from former Newton Chambers employees, alongside Dr Alice White - Digital Editor at English Heritage and Historian of Psychology and former Jeyes employees, Nicholas Goodwin and Jayne Howe- who followed the Izal brand closely after it changed hands in the 1980s.

At the end, Sam must draw her own conclusions about the fate of Izal medicated toilet paper - from changing hygiene standards to the rise of softer, more luxurious competitors - and decide whether its decline was inevitable or simply a failure to adapt?

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

This episode was produced by Linda Walker. Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

Toast - Series 7: Izal Medicated Toilet Paper

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 art materials. 

It expanded across Britain and beyond to America, the Middle East and parts of Europe. 

What made Paperchase so special? And how could decades of success slide into decline then shop closures? 

Sean speaks to: 

-Chris and Rebecca Pond whose father, Eddie Pond, was Paperchase's co-founder
-Timothy Melgund - who ran Paperchase under different ownership for over 20 years and led two management buyouts. 
-Liz Faulkner - from Jelly Armchair, a company that designs greeting cards and supplied Paperchase.

At the end, Sam White has to come up with her own conclusions about the fate of Paperchase based on what she has just heard.

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Toast - Series 7: Paperchase

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 revolutionized the aviation sector. 

Sean also hears from Mark Batey (who was chief executive of the Film Distributors' Association when EasyCinema opened) and speaks to Stewart Niblock (who was Easy Group's Head of New Projects so was responsible for refurbishing and opening the cinema) and Angela Chan (who is now Professor of Creative Industries at Royal Holloway, University of London but in 2003 she was a BBC producer/director who was filming a TV documentary about EasyCinema).

At the end, the resident business expert and entrepreneur, Sam White, has to come up with her own conclusions about the fate of EasyCinema based on what she has just heard.

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Toast - Series 7: EasyCinema

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 business expert and entrepreneur, Sam White.

To help explain what happened, Sean and Sam delve into the parliamentary archives and hear from expert guests including Gordon Brown who was Wilkinson's managing director for 15 years and Patrick O'Brien, Research Director at GlobalData who has followed the fortunes of high street names for over a decade.
 
At the end, Sam has to come up with her own conclusions about the fate of Wilko based on what she has just heard.

If you have a good idea for an interesting Toast topic then tell us about it - email toast@bbc.co.uk

Produced by Jon Douglas, Toast is a BBC Audio North production for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Toast - Series 7: Wilko

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, silicon, or metal containers could better for our health, as well as for the planet.

And what about putting them in the microwave to heat food, using them to freeze food after batch-cooking, or putting them in the dishwasher to clean? 

To find out more, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Dr Stephanie Wright, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Toxicology at Imperial College London; and Jane Muncke, Managing Director and Chief Scientific Officer at the Food Packaging Forum.

We're taking a break to prepare another batch of Sliced Bread but we're as hungry as ever for your suggestions of wonder products to investigate. Please do send your ideas to us either on email to sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 16: Food Containers

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, doesn't cause problems for her floors when kicked out of the litter tray and might be better for the environment?

Greg Foot is joined by veterinary surgeon and author of the book What's My Cat Thinking? Dr. Jo Lewis – as well as engineer and former managing director of pet care company Bob Martin, Savi Madden – to get the inside scoop. 

All of our episodes start with your suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk or send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

Researcher: Phil Sansom
Producers: Kate Holdsworth and Greg Foot

Sliced Bread - Series 16: Cat Litter

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 vertical mice—could optimise his professional setup as a software engineer.

To find out, presenter Greg Foot does a deep-dive into the evidence alongside Nichola Adams, from the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors; and Ben Vallack, who runs a YouTube channel all about workflow and design.

And if you're interested in this topic, we have a companion episode on Standing Desks - available along with all our other episodes on BBC Sounds.

All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 16: Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice

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 to know whether all this could really be true of a single wonder product! To find out, presenter Greg Foot is joined by Dr Claire Minshull, a sports rehabilitation expert, and Professor Neil Mansfield, author of the book 'Human Response to Vibration'.

All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 16: Vibration Plates

Do Vagus Nerve Stimulators help your mental health?

The vagus nerve could be one of the most important body parts you might never have heard of. It's a large nerve that connects major organs like the heart and lungs to the brain and studies have found that stimulating it with electrical pulses can lead to dramatic improvements in some people with depression and other mental health conditions. Those trials were for medical devices implanted into the chest, but listener Karin has seen commercially available versions that you wear over your ear. 

But do they work? Karin joins Greg in the studio along with leading experts in the field to do a deep-dive into the studies and separate out the science fact from the marketing fiction.

All of our episodes start with YOUR suggestions. If you’ve seen an ad, trend or wonder product promising to make you happier, healthier or greener, email us at sliced.bread@bbc.co.uk OR send a voice note to our WhatsApp number, 07543 306807.

RESEARCHER: PHIL SANSOM
PRODUCERS: SIMON HOBAN AND GREG FOOT

Sliced Bread - Series 12: Vagus Nerve Stimulators

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