More than 7.5 billion disposable plastic dinner containers made from poisonous and even carcinogenic material are consumed in China every year, according to an official with the International Food Packaging Association.

A Beijing court has accepted a suit against two well-known restaurants for allegedly using the toxic containers.

Plaintiff Dong Jinshi, the IFPA official, said it was the first step in a legal war against the use of such dinner boxes.

Dong said dangerous chemical residue in the containers the two eateries - Donglaishun Hotpot Restaurant and Laobian Dumpling Restaurant - sold him was about 150 times higher than national standards allowed. He told Haidian District court that eating from these containers was akin to "taking drugs."

Instead of the pure polypropylene that was supposed to be the raw material in the containers, unscrupulous producers added waste plastic and ceresin wax, Dong said.

Ceresin wax dissolves in oil and vinegar in food.

It is a strong carcinogen that could affect people's digestive and nervous systems, according to Dong.

He outlined in court sickening practices undertaken by some packaging producers.

Dong said he saw shredded disks made into milk bottles and used tampons recycled to make paper cups that ended up on restaurant tables.

Low-quality disposable dinner containers were widespread in the market because they generated increased profits for unlawful producers - and even tempted some legitimate manufacturers.

Dong said illegal producers had learned to temporarily close their factories to avoid official checks.

He reportedly has devoted himself to the battle against unsafe food packaging for a decade.

Up until now quality supervisors have ignored his numerous complaints, citing more important cases.

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