Warnings over food containers lined with plastic have been handed out to some stall operators, who say switch to approved versions will cost them
3-MIN READ3-MINFiona ChowandKate ChanPublished: 8:30am, 28 Jul 2026Updated: 8:34am, 28 Jul 2026Hong 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 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 operators of dozens of food stalls at the shopping centre’s food court 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 dining-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.
