An edible soap with a beans on toast flavor has been introduced to highlight the dilemma many families confront when choosing between purchasing food and personal care items.
The Goodwash Company from Barry, along with the Hygiene Bank charity, has created the UK's first edible soap As part of an initiative to bring attention to hygiene poverty and to urge for a reduction in VAT on hygiene items.
Approximately 4.2 million adults in the UK experienced hygiene poverty last year, as revealed by research carried out by YouGov for The Hygiene Bank.
At present, both soap and other crucial hygiene products are taxed at a 20% VAT rate, categorizing them as luxury goods rather than necessities.
The Hygiene Bank has initiated a petition urging for alterations in taxation regarding this matter.
The Treasury has been approached for comment.
Speaking to AinotiRadio Wales Mandy Powell, CEO and co-founder of the skincare line The Goodwash Company, mentioned that her initial idea was to create an oatmeal and seaweed breakfast bar as a conversation starter regarding hygiene poverty.
"When I presented the idea to them again, they responded saying, 'No, we prefer a substantial dinner-like soap,' such as beans on toast or chicken tikka masala," she explained.
"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.
One can also purchase a digital variant of the soap on The Goodwash Company’s website for £15, which reportedly represents the typical yearly expense on soap as per The Hygiene Bank.
All profits from the sale of the edible soap go directly to The Hygiene Bank.
" It’s quite enjoyable, yet there’s a profound message hidden within," stated Ms. Powell.
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.
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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.
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