The association also recommended for fines to be imposed on patrons for wasting food.

The association’s head, Nadzim Johan, said too much food was wasted especially at Buka Puasa buffets. He described those who wasted food as being ignorant to the teachings of Islam. “It involves food and the practice of Islam. If there is so much wastage, the halal certificates should reviewed,” he said, Astro Awani reported

He said food wastage should be recorded and monitored by the local authorities so that fines could be imposed accordingly.

Consumers should be held responsible and fined for wasting food or for dishing too much food on their plates too, Nadzim suggested.

Nadzim reminded Muslims that Ramadan was not a month for feasting but for Muslims to become better persons.

“This should not happen in Islam, we are taught to be frugal. We should be eating less during the fasting month: if we spend RM1,000 a month on groceries, it should be reduced to RM700 during Ramadan,” he was quoted as saying.

The Solid Waste And Public Cleansing Management Corporation has said that about 270,000 tonnes of leftovers that could still be consumed are disposed off wastefully during Ramadan.

The wasted food could have fed 180 million people, six times the country’s population of 27 million. In comparison, if the food was arranged in piles, the height of it would level that of 30 KLCC buildings. KLCC is 452 metres high.