A poster is displayed at a restaurant, urging diners to save food, in Tianshui City, Gansu Province, northwest China, September 22, 2020. /CFP

Chinese lawmakers on Thursday passed a bill on preventing food waste to ensure food security and put it into force with immediate effect.

Under the newly enacted law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), misleading or inducing excessive food ordering could face a fine of up to 10,000 yuan (about $1,546).

Catering service providers could charge customers who leave excessive amounts of food waste a disposal fee, but rates for the charge must be clearly advertised, according to the law.

Approximately 18 billion kilograms of food is wasted every year in China's urban catering industry, according to a report based on nationwide field research carried out by NPC deputies.

The country also sees over 35 billion kilograms of grain loss at pre-consumption stages, including storage, transportation and processing, said the report.