São Paulo Postpones to February 1, 2027 the Ban on Shared Sauce Bottles in Bars and Restaurants

The Health Surveillance Center (CVS) of the state of São Paulo published on Monday, October 5, in the state Official Gazette, Portaria CVS No. 9, which postpones until February 1, 2027 the ban on the use of shared sauce bottles in bars, restaurants and fast-food outlets. The rule, published in July, allowed a 90-day adaptation period that expired on Sunday, October 4.

The rule, included in Portaria CVS No. 3 of 2026, establishes that condiments, sauces and dressings for sandwiches, savory snacks and similar products must be offered in individual single-use packaging. As a result, bottles of ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other sauces that are passed from hand to hand among different customers are no longer permitted. According to the agency, the measure seeks to ensure food safety and quality and to reduce the health risk through good practices and standardized procedures, as well as to reduce the risk of contamination caused by the handling of shared containers.

The postponement took into account, according to the state, the scope and complexity of the changes and the diversity of the establishments affected. The portaria adds that it is necessary to improve food health surveillance actions and to consolidate clearer technical guidance. The São Paulo bars and restaurants association had asked for more time and for the creation of a working group to adapt the sector.

For food service operations, the case illustrates a known risk: a container that touches the hands of many diners is a frequent contact surface that can transfer microorganisms from one person to the food, and it is therefore a critical hygiene point in table service. The São Paulo rule does not name a specific pathogen, so it is not associated with a specific TAAG assay. Until the measure takes effect, surface hygiene programs with periodic microbiological verification remain the tool for checking that the cleaning of table utensils works.