Littleseed paperises the oil aisle

In a move that signals a whole-system shift in sustainable food production, regenerative farmer Adam Palmer has launched the UK’s first-ever edible oil packaged in a paper bottle.

The product, Littleseed Naturally Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil, is now available across all 25 Booths stores, marking a significant departure from traditional glass and plastic formats in the British oil aisle.

The launch utilises the Frugal Bottle, a 750ml vessel manufactured by British sustainable packaging firm Frugalpac. While paper bottles have gained traction in the European wine and spirits sectors — and have been used for olive oils in Germany — this represents the first time the technology has been applied to the UK rapeseed oil category.

The decision to move away from glass was driven by a combination of carbon reduction and product integrity. The Frugal Bottle is made from 94% recycled paperboard with a food-grade liner, offering a carbon footprint up to six times lower than a standard glass bottle.

Key functional advantages for the trade and consumers include:

• Weight efficiency: at just 83g, the bottle is five times lighter than glass, significantly reducing transport emissions and handling strain.
• Shatterproof durability: the paper construction eliminates the risk of breakage in the supply chain and on the shop floor.
• Light protection: unlike transparent glass or plastic, the opaque paperboard acts as a total light barrier. This prevents oxidation and spoilage, ensuring the cold-pressed oil maintains its flavour and nutritional profile for longer.

For Littleseed founder Adam Palmer, the packaging is an extension of his farming philosophy. The oil is produced exclusively from regeneratively farmed crops in Malton, which focuses on restoring soil health and biodiversity.

“As a regenerative farmer, I am passionate about agriculture that creates better outcomes for the planet,” said Palmer. “When looking for a bottle, we were drawn to the Frugal Bottle because its footprint was so much lower. The fact that light can’t penetrate to spoil the oil was a key feature.”

The listing at Booths aligns with the retailer’s ongoing “Responsible Business” strategy. Haris Deane, oils and vinegar buyer at Booths, noted that the product ticked boxes for both its farming methods and its lower-carbon packaging.

Malcolm Waugh, CEO of Frugalpac, added: “This is an exciting first for the UK edible oils category. Rapeseed oil is a product rooted in British farming, so pairing it with a bottle that dramatically cuts carbon and protects product quality makes complete sense. It shows how far sustainable packaging has come.”

Littleseed Naturally Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil is retailing at £7.50 for 750ml.