Anti-food Waste Law was adopted on 29 Apr. 2021, and entered into force on the date of promulgation.

There are 32 articles in total. The Law aims to prevent food waste, guarantee national food security, and promote sustainable economic and social development.

The key points are as follows:

1.For the purpose of this Law, “food” refers to the food eaten or drunk by human beings. “Food waste” refers to the failure to properly utilize the food that is safe to eat or drink according to its functions and purposes, including abandonment and reduction in quantity or deterioration of quality of food resulting from unreasonable utilization.

2.Catering service providers shall take measures to prevent food waste; catering takeaway platforms shall remind consumers to order an appropriate amount of food in a conspicuous way; tour operators shall guide tourists to eat in a civilized and healthy manner; supermarkets and shopping malls shall strengthen the daily inspection of the food they operate and carry out categorized management of the food near its shelf life.

3.Education administrative authorities and news media shall guide the public to establish a correct concept of food consumption. It is prohibited to produce, release or disseminate any program, audio or video information that advocates food waste, such as eating large quantities of food and overeating.

4.All units and individuals have the right to report to the relevant departments and organs upon discovery of any act of wasting food by food producers and dealers. The departments and organs receiving such reports shall promptly handle them in accordance with the law.