In a bid to reduce food waste, Japan's health ministry released draft guidelines Wednesday on how customers can ask restaurants for a take-home bag if the leftovers meet the country's hygiene standards.
The draft guidelines “do not mandate or recommend taking home leftovers,” but aim to change the attitudes and behaviors of both customers and restaurants in regard to takeout bags, according to the ministry.
Food establishments such as izakaya Japanese pubs and hotels offering buffets are subject to the guidelines, while takeout-only restaurants and cafeterias in schools and hospitals are not.
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