Ruling on cartoon characters on food containers and cups

The pictures that are found on drinking cups and food
containers do not come under the ruling on images that are forbidden,
because these are items that are used and abused, but it is better to
avoid these vessels and containers so that the child will not become
attached to cartoon pictures and symbols. Some children become very fond
of a particular image that they want to have on their bags, pencil cases
and cups, but this has a negative impact on the child and makes him fond
of imaginary characters whose conduct is not free of things that are
forbidden in Islam. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said in al-Sharh al-Mumti‘
(2/206): It has become very common nowadays to have pictures on almost
everything, so these pictures are found on plates and dishes, food
containers, in books and magazines; they found in everything except what
Allah wills (should remain free of them), and there are also images that are
eaten, such as biscuits in the shape of fish or rabbits. 

We say: Keeping them because of the pictures or images in
them is undoubtedly haraam. Buying magazines in which pictures are published
for the sake of the pictures is also haraam, but if it is for knowledge or
information or to read the news, then we hope that there is nothing wrong
with that, because of difficulty (in avoiding it completely). Allah, may He
be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): “and [Allaah] has not
laid upon you in religion any hardship” [al-Hajj 22:78]. These images
are not what the person is seeking when he buys it and he does not care
about them. This is also the case with regard to dishes and plates and food
containers and the like. And it may be said that they are treated with some
level of disrespect so they do not come under the category that is haraam.
End quote. 

And Allah knows best.