Abstract
As part ofa multi-purpose study, the monetary value of edible plate waste was estimated in 18 large capacity Ministry of Health (MOH) general hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Direct measurement of the plate waste was carried out over 2-days, in which 6 consecutive regular diets were served to 554 Saudi patients (male 268 and female 286) and their 205 attendants (male 12 and female 193). It was estimated that the average plate waste represented approximately 40% of the meal cost/ participant/day, and the estimated annual monetary loss for the 5.625 million regular meals to be served to patients and attendants will be around 35 million Saudi Riyals.