Disposable chopsticks widely used by fast-food retailers used
to be viewed as clean and convenient. But Professor Pang Jufeng,
member of China People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC),
concurrently vice-president of Shaanxi Province Intellectual
Association, proposed banning the production of such chopsticks.
"The proposal,"
said the professor when interviewed by China Internet Information
Center, "comes from my experience and observation, and
the public's outcry. 1. Not sanitary. Many small restaurants
have kept the chopsticks in a jar unwashed probably for years.
There's no guarantee for health if the chopsticks are contaminated
before use. Some are used more than once; 2.Umproperly discarded
chopsticks after use, some may carry contaminable disease,
contaminate environment; 3.To lower the cost, manufacturers
often make chopsticks in a rough way, their unpolished surface
often cuts, 4.Throwaway chopsticks are ecologically expensive.
Huge amount of trees are laid down for the production of the
throwaway chopsticks. "It takes 10 years for a tree to
grow up, as the old saying goes," Professor Pang continued.
"But we are eating away our forests, what a waste!"
"After the
banning," Prof. Pang maintained, "proper sterilization
will be crucial for multi-use chopsticks. Failure in doing
this will doubtlessly spread diseases. Tough inspection by
supervising departments shall be frequent. Business failed
to meet sanitary standards shall be closed temporarily or
even permanently. Regular training for workers in food business
should be enforced."
About some restaurants
charging sterilization fee, Prof. Pang said, "So far
there is no law to regulate market behaviors like this, the
food sanitary regulations should be revised to cover sterilization
of chopsticks. When most of the food businesses go by law
and adopt a good habit, the ban of disposable chopsticks will
be good to the country and people as well."
(CIIC by Yang Ling
03/07/2001)
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