Food court stalls caught off guard by rules over plastic serving containers
Warnings over food containers lined with plastic have been handed out to some stall operators, who say switch to approved versions will cost them
Hong Kong environmental authorities have warned that restaurant operators must not use disposable tableware coated in plastic for dine-in service, after some owners told the South China Morning Post they were caught off guard by inspectors.
The Environmental Protection Department on Monday clarified that paper products with an inner plastic lining could only be used for takeaway orders after a food stall owner at Dragon Centre in Sham Shui Po said he was “shocked” by a warning he received.
Philip Ho was among the operators of dozens of food stalls at the shopping centre’s food court that were inspected on July 23 by department officers, who handed out multiple warnings.
Given that the food court provides common seating for sit-down meals, regulations covering dine-in service apply.
“I know I cannot use plastic bowls for dine-in, so I thought I was using paper bowls. Almost everyone here does the same,” Ho said.