China Emphasizes Food Security, Imposes 17 Million Won Fine for Spreading 'Mukbang' Content

'Food Waste Prohibition Act' Enforced... Processing Fees Imposed for Leftover Food at Restaurants
18 Million Tons of Food Wasted Annually in China, Enough to Feed 50 Million People for One Year

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China is implementing the "Food Waste Prohibition Law," which imposes fines of up to 100,000 yuan (approximately 17 million KRW) for producing and distributing "mukbang" (eating broadcasts). Since Chinese President Xi Jinping instructed in August last year that "food waste must be firmly prevented," the National People's Congress (NPC), China's legislature, has initiated legislative procedures related to food waste.

According to Chinese media including the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 30th, the NPC Standing Committee held its 23rd meeting the previous day and passed the Food Waste Prohibition Law. The law took effect immediately on the announcement date, the 29th.

Photo by Baidu Capture

The bill, consisting of a total of 32 articles, requires local governments at the county level and above to disclose annual food-saving work details. Government departments and public enterprises must strengthen management of food waste during official receptions, meetings, training, and education.

Additionally, programs that promote food waste such as overeating through social networking services (SNS) like the internet or television (TV) will be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 yuan (approximately 1.7 million to 17 million KRW) according to the law.

Food service providers must indicate portion sizes and recommended number of consumers on menus, and if they induce excessive ordering, fines ranging from 1,000 to 10,000 yuan will be imposed. The law also includes provisions allowing charges for food waste disposal costs to be levied on customers who leave food uneaten.

Xinhua News Agency explained that the amount of food wasted annually in China reaches 17 to 18 million tons, which is enough to feed 30 to 50 million people for a year. Xinhua emphasized that the Food Waste Prohibition Law is very important for securing national food security and promoting sustainable economic and social development.

Regarding concerns from some Western camps that China is experiencing a food shortage, Global Times explained that the law was introduced from the perspective of food security, including stabilizing grain production and external uncertainties, and that China is not facing a risk of food shortage.

Professor Zheng Fengtian of the Department of Agricultural Economics at Renmin University said, "The purpose of this law is to save food resources and guide an eco-friendly society," adding, "The implementation of the law will be an opportunity to solve the serious problem of food waste."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.