Chinese region bans self-heating meals on trains over smoke alarm fears
- Checks are to be carried out at stations in Guangxi from October
- Passengers caught in possession of the meals risk a fine of at least US$70
A region in southern China is banning self-heating ready-meals on trains in case they set off smoke detectors, according to Chinese media reports.
Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region’s rail safety regulations will prohibit the meals from October, making it the first region or province in the country to target the products specifically.
The meals contain packets of self-heating lime powder that, when water is added, boil the food in three minutes.
Those caught breaking the rule will be fined 500 to 2,000 yuan (US$70-290), Beijing Youth Daily reported.
An unnamed staff member at a railway station in the region was quoted as saying the rule would apply to passengers boarding trains departing from Guangxi. Checks would be carried out at stations, the report said.
Fujian and Sichuan provinces had previously introduced rules on items that could trigger smoke sensors, but had not singled out the self-heating meals.