Opposition to food waste has been written into the amended draft regulations on civilized behaviors of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. The draft includes specifics that make it illegal to produce or disseminate works promoting overeating or binge eating.
The draft has been published online to solicit public opinions, Shenzhen Special Zone Daily reported.
The draft reportedly suggests that citizens should order and take reasonable amounts of food, and an “empty plate” campaign is also advised.
Citizens are encouraged to pack leftovers, use serving chopsticks, purchase foods based on family demand, and simplify banquets for events such as weddings and funerals.
Restaurant management should not set up minimums for consumption, but should instead post signage to remind customers to refrain from wasting food. Additionally, management should show food volume on menus, provide serving chopsticks, guide customers to order food reasonably, offer customers help to pack leftovers, and to reward customers who practice thrifty eating habits.
Company cafeterias should formulate mechanisms to ensure thriftiness and to manage food purchase and preparation based on the real number of staff, according to the draft amendment.
In addition, the amended draft regulation requires that schools at each level should include plans to stop wasting food and promote thrift into daily teaching and cultivate thrifty habits in students.
The municipal commerce bureau should work with related units to create standards and guidance to prevent excessive food waste while market supervision departments should include the behavior of restaurants in reducing food waste in regulatory checks.
The draft also suggests health departments should release food guidance for different categories of people and guide restaurants to offer balanced meals.