Most disposable paper cups sold in Sanya fail to meet new national standards
The new guidelines, provided by Sanya municipal Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, state that designs should not be printed near the cup rim or bottom of disposable cups. What’s more, the new standard also bans the fluorescent bleaching agent and recycled materials commonly used in disposable cups.
According to Dong Jinshi, the secretary-general of International Food Packaging Association, when we drink with disposable cups, our lips will unavoidably touch the cup rim. Designs printed on or near the cup rim will cause us to ingest printing ink.
Although the new standard has been in effect since 1st June, most of the disposable paper cups in Sanya were found to be substandard. At Carrefour Supermarket, which is located at the Mingzhu Plaza, more than 5 brands of disposable paper cups were found on the shelves. Almost all the well-known disposable cups were printed with designs in bright colors. Disposable cups in other supermarkets as well as at some fast-food restaurants like KFC all failed to meet the new standards.