The Tianjin catering industry is acting under the new rules promulgated by local government to curb food wastage, according to a local government news conference held on Aug 27.
To better guide food providers in the metropolises into the 'new normal', working plans and regulations have been issued to restaurants and online food platforms, stipulating behaviors that guard against the wasting of food. Authorities have issued a guideline requiring restaurants to indicate the amount of food per portion and recommended numbers of diners for their set menus. Restaurants will also offer ‘half portions' and 'small portions' in addition to standard meals. As an extra, the guideline also asks restaurants to remind customers to take away the food that they haven’t finished and prohibit setting minimum consumption. Similar measures will also be implemented across schools, hospitals and more.
The measures are in accordance with a call from the central government to help prevent potential food supply uncertainties in the future, which are now a danger because of the sudden outbreak of the novel coronavirus which has negatively impacted the world economic order.