Sliced Bread

Millions of us use fitness tracker watches to count how many steps we take each day - they also claim to tell us how we're sleeping and how stressed we are, as well as a host of other metrics. But how accurate are they - and are they the best thing since Sliced Bread? We've had loads of requests from you to look into fitness trackers. So with multiple watches on each arm, Greg's being put through his paces at Loughborough University under the watchful eye of Dr James Sanders, senior research associate in digital health for lifestyle.PRESENTER: GREG FOOT PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

Delving into the world of cookware, this podcast explores the different materials and coatings used in pots and pans. From the safety concerns of non-stick coatings to temperature control and the presence of PFAS in everyday products, the discussion offers insights on choosing the right kitchen pans.

Gum disease is extremely common in dogs - with some breeds particularly badly affected. So it's no surprise there are all sorts of products on the market offering to clean your pet's teeth - which might be particularly appealing if you don't fancy grabbing a toothbrush and doing the job yourself. As well as chews of many shapes and sizes, there are additives to water - and even seaweed extract to sprinkle on their food. It's a serious business. We've had loads of emails asking us to look into this one - including from listener Sarah, who wants help on behalf of Heidi, her Miniature Schnauzer. To get them some answers, Greg hears from a pet nutritionist and a vet who's an expert in dental care. Are dog dental chews the best thing since sliced bread?PRESENTER: GREG FOOT PRODUCER: TOM MOSELEY

The podcast investigates the effectiveness and value of expensive face creams, focusing on specific ingredients like retinol and niacinamide. They explore the benefits of these ingredients and discuss the controversy surrounding the high price of 'Creme de la Mer'. The episode concludes by providing recommendations for creating a great skincare routine at any budget.

Greg Foot returns to investigate a whole new batch of so-called wonder products suggested by you, the listeners.Sliced Bread is back for a new series from Thursday 8 February, 2023 on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds, with new episodes available weekly on Thursdays on BBC Sounds and wherever you get your podcasts.

What went wrong at Jamie Oliver's UK restaurant chain, Jamie's Italian?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 first broadcast in February 2024, Sean and the serial entrepreneur, Sam White, examine the fortunes of Jamie Oliver's Italian restaurant chain. It was a big hit when it launched so why couldn't it maintain that success? Expert commentators - and Jamie Oliver himself - reflect on what made his restaurants so special and what led to their demise.Tracey MacLeod, formerly of The Independent, was one of the first restaurant critics through the door; Emma Lake, Assistant Editor at The Caterer magazine wrote extensively about Jamie's Italian; Peter Harden, the co-founder of Harden's Restaurant Guide, has trawled through reviews of Jamie's Italian to see what changed from the customers' perspective.Jamie Oliver's perspective comes through an interview he did with Kirsty Young for the Radio 4 series 'Young Again'.If you have an idea for a topic with a toast moment then you can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukSliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

Why did the best-selling computer manufacturer, Commodore, go bust?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, Sean examines the remarkable story behind the man who founded one of the world's best-selling computer manufacturers. Commodore computers were huge in the 1980s so why couldn't the business adapt to survive in an age when computing became even more popular? Expert commentators and employees reflect on why the company was so successful and what led to its demise. Guests include David Pleasance - a former Commodore international executive and later joint managing director of its UK arm; Tim Danton - editor-in-chief of PC Pro magazine; Dan Wood - a Commodore computers enthusiast.Alongside them is the self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White, to analyse the missteps that changed the brand’s fortunes.If you have an idea for a topic with a toast moment then you can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukSliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

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 first broadcast in January 2024, Sean learns why Club 18-30 fell out of favour. Its package holidays for young people were a hit for decades so why couldn't it keep going? Sean speaks to holidaymakers who remember their Club 18-30 experiences well. A former manager explains how they hoped to keep the brand going and why that proved impossible.Alongside them all, analysing the business' fortunes is the self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White. You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which we could cover in future episodesSliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

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?In this episode, which was first broadcast in January 2024, Sean learns why sales of Sunny Delight faltered in the UK after an extraordinarily successful launch. Sean speaks to some of the people who worked on the brand, hearing how it became a hit before a series of unfortunate coincidences undermined its popularity. The self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White, is alongside him, analysing the missteps that changed Sunny Delight's fortunes.'Sunny D', as it is known today, is still sold in some UK supermarkets. It has different owners and ingredients but it has never matched the incredible sales figures which it achieved in its early days. CORRECTION: Beta-carotene is not a B vitamin as briefly referenced in this programme. It's turned into vitamin A in the body.You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.ukFeel free to suggest topics which we could cover in future episodesSliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.

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 special, Sean examines the charming story behind one of our best-known toy brands before hearing how it faltered. Expert commentators and employees reflect on why the business had been so successful and what went wrong. Alongside them is the self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur, Sam White, to analyse the missteps that changed the brand’s fortunes. Together, they hear how Toys R Us is making a comeback in the UK. You can email the programme at toast@bbc.co.uk Feel free to suggest topics which we could cover in future episodes. From big tech to high street retail and, of course, food, Toast tackles the business ideas that, one way or another, ended up cooked.Sliced Bread returns for a new batch of investigations in February. In the new series, Greg Foot will investigate more of the latest so-called wonder products to find out whether they really are the best thing since sliced bread. In the meantime, Toast is available in the Sliced Bread feed on BBC Sounds.Toast is produced by Jon Douglas and Viant Siddique and is a BBC Audio North production for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.