They should also procure food materials based on the total number of staff and provide smaller portions to avoid waste, according to the circular.

Special supervisors will be arranged to inspect the measures' implementation and criticize staff who waste food. Warnings will be issued to departments which waste food.

According to the circular, the central authorities want to foster a frugal lifestyle among the public, urging the publicity authorities to reinforce the campaign and educational authorities to advocate frugality in schools.

Catering companies and restaurants have been told to make the best of any food material and actively lead consumers to order moderate amounts of food and pack the leftovers.

Restaurants are not allowed to set a minimum-spend requirement, instead, they should award customers who save food, it said.

Kitchen waste can become resources, the circular said. It urged restaurants, government canteens and cafeterias not to arbitrarily dispose of leftovers and kitchen waste, which it said should be sent to the waste-recycling companies or be made into compost.

Efforts will also be made to improve management in various sectors concerning grain production, storage, transportation and processing to reduce grain depletion or wastage.

The document also noted that China is in the process of hammering out a law on food waste.

Strict supervision and inspection over implementation will be in place, said the circular. Supervision authorities will even investigate restaurants and hotels and track down violating officials from invoices indicating large payments.