China imposes heavy penalties to stop food waste

China, on Thursday, passed an anti-food waste law that stipulates heavy fines, given that over-demanding food during group meals in restaurants is a common tradition in the Asian giant.

"Even though the harvested crops are good in our country every year, it is necessary for us to have a sense of crisis in the food field," the Chinese president said.

On Thursday, the Chinese parliament, subject to the ruling Communist Party, approved a bill that considers wasting food a misdemeanor.

The law allows restaurant establishments to impose additional costs on their customers' bill in the event of waste, according to CCTV.

The station added that "those who eat whatever they asked for may be rewarded," without giving further details.

Restaurants that encourage their customers to order more than necessary will be subject to a fine of up to 10,000 yuan (about $ 1,500, more than the average monthly salary).

The law imposes heavy fines on popular online videos of people competing in binge-watching, and filming or publishing such scenes subject to a fine of 100,000 yuan (about $ 15,000).

The Chinese president's criticism of food waste last summer coincided with the Corona pandemic, and floods, which destroyed large areas of arable land, which caused an increase in food prices.