New guidelines issued for serving utensils

The city’s market administration authority has issued new guidelines to regulate the use of serving chopsticks and spoons at local public eateries.

Due to the novel coronavirus epidemic, the local government is encouraging people to use one set of utensils to take food from communal dishes, and another to eat with, in an effort to avoid infection.

“Changing unhealthy habits can effectively reduce the risk of disease, especially during the epidemic,” said Wang Tong from Shanghai Health Enhancement Commission. “Eating at a big banquet with everyone taking food from communal plates is a tradition in China. However, there is a risk of spreading bacteria and viruses, especially helicobacter pylori. The new habit of using spare chopsticks and spoons to take food from the big plate can prevent such infection, while being in line with Chinese tradition.”

The new guidelines describe requirements for disinfection, use and storage of such chopsticks and spoons and that each dish should have such utensils for diners' use.