Opposing views: Is a fine for leftover food really the way to go?

Opposing views: Is a fine for leftover food really the way to go?

Obesity, food portions and the region's apathy towards the value of food are elements for arguing for and against a restaurant in Saudi fining its customers for leaving leftovers.

September 18, 2011 3:58 by kippreport

Marmar restaurant in Saudi brings a whole new level to the argument your parents used to give you when they forced you to finish your food. The restaurant’s owner has put up signs inside their restaurant saying they would fine customers who do not finish their meals in a bid to prevent customers from overspending and buying more than they can eat.

“We just want to encourage our customers to rationalise their expending following news of famine in Africa…we took the decision after we noticed that some customers order food that is much more than what they actually need…..the fine depends on how much food they leave behind,” Fahd Al Anzi, owner of Marmar restaurant in Dammam, was quoted in Emirates 24/7.

Is this fine justified? The Kipp is divided on this. Check out our arguments below and tell us which team you pick.

Tags: food, food fine, leftover food fine, opposing views, restaurant food fine, Saudi restaurant, versus

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5 Comments

M.A. on September 18, 2011 9:39 pm

Has anyone ever heard of taking the food home with them? Its free and you get to enjoy the restaurant’s food again later.
Manuel Melegrito on September 19, 2011 7:32 am

Give me a break.. what the hell this restaurant think they are, a ‘Baladia?’ Has the owner thought of whether he is violating a law for enforcing illegal fine?
Once I purchase something, it’s legally mine and I believe I can do whatever I want to do with it. Don’t mix politics in this issue wherein one can’t consume all food in front of him and be penalized, and wherein one has nothing to eat at all.
ria on September 19, 2011 10:20 am

Some restaurants in the Philippines have made a different system for their eat all you can buffet offers – there’s a discounted price people regularly pay for, and they can eat all they can with the condition that they have no leftovers, just take what they can eat. But if there are leftovers, then they will be charged the full price.
Ahamed Gulam on September 19, 2011 2:35 pm

Instead, for a cleaner plate after food, they can encourage by giving them a token/points that can be redeemed as food if it reaches some point. This may encourage people not to waste.
Andrew on September 20, 2011 7:51 am

Great idea, but for someone who had most of their stomach surgically removed – I’d have to pass, because I can barely eat anything.