Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

TABLEWARE from six out of 26 companies that provide sterilizing services failed to meet sanitation standards, according to a report released by the health commission Friday.

A total of 390 tableware sets, including cups, plates, chopsticks, spoons and bowls, from the 26 companies were tested. The items were checked for salmonella, anionic detergent, coli group, free residual chlorine and appearance.

The results showed that 370 sets of tableware, which accounted for 94.9 percent of the total, met the sanitation standards. Twenty sets fell short of the acceptable level, accounting for 5.1 percent.

The qualifying rate of cups, spoons and bowls was 98.7 percent, while the qualifying rates of plates and chopsticks were 96.2 percent and 82.14 percent, respectively.

The chopstick and spoon samples from Shenzhen Gengxin Tableware Sterilization Service Co. Ltd. and the cup, chopstick and bowl samples from Shenzhen Xishuanshuan Tableware Sterilization Co. Ltd. failed the tests for coli group and anionic detergent.

The chopstick samples from Yongkang Tableware Sterilization Center in Longhua District, the plate and chopstick samples from Shenzhen Changkang Tableware Sterilization Co. Ltd. and the plate samples from Shenzhen Mashang Cleaning Service Co. Ltd. were found to contain anionic detergent.

The chopstick samples from Shenzhen Huashengaoke Tableware Sterilization Co. Ltd. failed the coli group tests.

The health authority ordered the unqualified companies to immediately make rectifications and imposed administrative punishments for their irregularities. Meanwhile, the companies were given guidance on the process and management of centralized disinfection of tableware.

The process of centralized disinfection mainly includes recycling, residue removal, soaking, machine washing, sterilization, packaging, storage and inspection. Distinct from old-fashioned manual cleaning and disinfection, large-scale disinfection companies have adopted mechanized operations.

Unqualified tableware can cause consumers to develop such symptoms as diarrhea and abdominal pain.

The health authority reminds residents to pay attention to the packaging, company name and address, production and expiration date of tableware that is sterilized by a centralized process.