Beijing Bans Cooking Outdoors Due to Smog Problem
- 10 years ago
Authorities in Beijing are limiting what foods be dished out by food vendors, as grilling outside has been prohibited.
Both tourists and locals in China enjoy sampling food from street vendors, especially during the warmer months. However, authorities in Beijing are limiting what foods can be dished out, as grilling outside is being prohibited.
The ban is the result of persistent smog levels in the city. Essentially it means grilling or any other cooking methods will have to be carried out indoors.
That drastically limits what vendors, whose only means of serving up food is in street stalls, can sell.
The rules are called ‘Interim Measures on Management of Summer Al Fresco Dining’. In addition to prohibiting cooking, it reportedly also nixes serving cold dishes outside. Hygiene is cited for that specific ban.
A few examples of cold dining options include ‘decorative cakes and raw seafood products.’ So what exactly can be served? That’s the question everyone wants to know.
Netizens are already making their outage known. A local District Law Enforcement Bureau Officer even expressed concerns stating ‘On the one hand, this kind of dining is very popular, and so it's a big business. On the other, both customers and businesses will not cooperate with law enforcement…’
When the rules officially go into effect on May 1st, fines of up to $3,000 will be handed out to anyone who is found to be in violation.
Both tourists and locals in China enjoy sampling food from street vendors, especially during the warmer months. However, authorities in Beijing are limiting what foods can be dished out, as grilling outside is being prohibited.
The ban is the result of persistent smog levels in the city. Essentially it means grilling or any other cooking methods will have to be carried out indoors.
That drastically limits what vendors, whose only means of serving up food is in street stalls, can sell.
The rules are called ‘Interim Measures on Management of Summer Al Fresco Dining’. In addition to prohibiting cooking, it reportedly also nixes serving cold dishes outside. Hygiene is cited for that specific ban.
A few examples of cold dining options include ‘decorative cakes and raw seafood products.’ So what exactly can be served? That’s the question everyone wants to know.
Netizens are already making their outage known. A local District Law Enforcement Bureau Officer even expressed concerns stating ‘On the one hand, this kind of dining is very popular, and so it's a big business. On the other, both customers and businesses will not cooperate with law enforcement…’
When the rules officially go into effect on May 1st, fines of up to $3,000 will be handed out to anyone who is found to be in violation.