OAKLAND -- Some Oakland restaurants are still using plastic foam containers even though a citywide ban on the takeout boxes went into effect on Jan. 1, according to the City Councilwoman who sponsored the law.

Councilwoman Jean Quan said she recently went to some of her favorite Chinese restaurants and noticed many were still using the prohibited containers. Paper takeout boxes are allowed under the ban, "but for soup, they are still using Styrofoam," Quan said.

She said she suspects restaurants will continue to use plastic foam, which costs about one-third as much as plastic or paper products, until they are cited.

The ordinance allows first-time offenders to get away with warnings, but provides for fines up to $500 for multiple complaints.

But the city maintains it isn't out to crack down on the 1,100 restaurants, delis and other food vendors that sell takeout food in Oakland, and instead wants to help them comply by providing lists of vendors who sell environmentally friendly containers.