Abstract: The protective device for a food bowl (1) with a depression (5) which is surrounded by an edge bead (3) comprises a hold-down device with at least one adjustable hold-down element (13) for holding a cover means (15) in the form of a flexible sheet material within the depression (5), said hold-down element extending into the depression region. The cover means can additionally be held on the food bowl (1) with a peripheral retaining device in the region of the edge bead (3). The cover means (15) can be stored as a detachable section of a rolled-up band in a dispenser (19). The cover means comprises at least one receiving portion (17) on the bottom side thereof for the at least one hold-down element (13).