As portion sizes grow, consumers are increasingly requesting restaurants to pack up their leftovers in ‘doggie bags’ so they can enjoy a second helping at home.

However, the Western Australian Health Department is advising restaurant owners to be cautious about this practice, as it fears that many consumers are not aware of how to store food taken home. The government department is concerned that consumers will leave the food unrefrigerated or sitting about for too long to be safely consumed, leading to food poisoning.

As a result, the Restaurant & Catering Industry Association of Western Australia has requested that the department help fund stickers and guidelines to inform customers of the proper procedure to be taken with food carried home in doggie bags. This has already happened in Queensland, reports the Western Australian.