Moviegoers can bring food to theaters: CPC

It is a violation of the Consumer Protection Law to prohibit moviegoers from bringing outside food into theaters, said Chang Chia-ling, an official with the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC).

“This includes beverages, bottled water, snacks, popcorn, hot dogs and other items that do not disturb other moviegoers,” she continued. “If consumers are not allowed to bring their own food products into a theater, they can submit a complaint to the CPC against the theater operator.”

Chang said if theater operators wish to prohibit food items on the grounds that these might affect the quality of the movie experience and disturb others inside a theater, they must specify what foods are to be outlawed. For example, heavily scented foods such as 'stinky tofu' and durian may be specified.

According to the CPC, outside food is completely prohibited in about 19 percent of movie theaters in Taiwan. Most of these theaters are large movie chains. Currently, the government is discussing with the theater operators in question so that these may reconsider their “no outside food” rule.

If the movie operators do not cooperate, the CPC said it will not rule out taking its case to the court so that the Legislative Yuan may order said operators to waive their concessions-only food rule at their cinemas.

Among the theaters that do not allow outside food are Taipei City's Ambassador Cinemas at Breeze Center, Core Pacific City's Cinemark, and Tianmu Miramar Cinema. Outside the capital city, Ambassador Cinemas in Taipei County and Tainan City, as well as Shin Kong Cineplexes in Taichung and Tainan cities also prohibit outside food.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email