The custom that requires that there is always enough food for everyone and no one is left hungry – never take the last piece of food – may have led to the over ordering of food in restaurants and resulting waste.
Xinhua news agency has reported that China’s officials are urging a clampdown on food waste in restaurants, citing that the wining and dining being done in Shanghai alone results in up to 1100 tons of food waste every day.
Businessmen with their banquets are the main culprits in over ordering and wasting food as per custom, they must ensure that their guests are never left hungry and wanting for more.
A recent survey reveals that 81% of Chinese diners cannot finish all their food and that 28% never take their leftovers home. The survey also revealed that it is men between the ages of 30 and 40 who are the most extravagant spenders and biggest wasters.
Though no official statistics are available, the survey estimates that mainland Chinese are wasting about 60 billion yuan a year eating at hotels and restaurants. The amount of waste has led the government to kick start their “green” campaign which urges restaurants to persuade customers to not over order as well as to take their leftovers home.
Liu Dafeng, manager of the Shanghai Families restaurant chain is not surprised by the survey, “Each day, we collect two huge vats of leftovers from the tables - 30 kilos at least. 'About 30 percent of the food is never touched.'
