Three automatic noodle machines appeared in Shanghai recently. It took less than a minute to pay for and prepare the instant noodles, which cost less than 10 yuan per bowl.
But the three machines were shut down over the weekend, Shanghai Morning Post reported Saturday, for not having proper business licenses or certification.
Shanghai Municipal Food and Drug Administration said that while they welcome the new food business format and hope they can become certified, adequate safety measures must first be taken to ensure that they pose no harm to customers.
The food and drug sector will organize experts to assess the food safety of these automatic noodle machines in the near future. The city is also establishing local standards for hygienic regulations on the production and operation of automatic-sale instant foods, to assure the quality of the new business format.
