A Saudi restaurant has started charging diners if they order more than they can eat.

The move against leftovers by Marmar Restaurant in the city of Dammam in the Eastern Province is aimed at stopping food wastage and reduce extravagance by rationalising orders, said Fahad Al Anezi, the restaurant owner.
"There are many clients who make large orders in order to impress the people around them and boost their social prestige," he said, as quoted by Saudi media.
The fine is symbolic for diners whose eyes or egos are bigger than their stomachs and is decided according to the quantity of the leftovers.
The unprecedented idea has been largesly endorsed by Saudis, Al Anezi said.

The fines, which will be funneled to charities, are lenient, because offending customers decide how much they should pay.

“As long as it is going to charity I am okay with the idea,” said one man after visiting the restaurant, adding, “I hope all restaurants in the province follow suit.”

Another customer said, “I was surprised that I was fined, but to be honest, this is a good step to encourage doing good deeds.”

Other customers have voiced their concerns, and on a global level. One Saudi man said, “There are other countries that suffer from hunger like Somalia, and I find this new idea helpful to encourage economic and social awareness, and to teach people to consume the right amount of food; plus, it is environmentally friendly.”

According to a British government report, as much as 30 percent of food around the world may be lost or wasted, while other estimates have put the figure at around 50 percent.