Halal aspect prioritized in free meals program, BPJPH says

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Head of the Indonesian Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Ahmad Haikal Hasan, highlighted that the government is prioritizing the halal aspect in its Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

"The government is prioritizing the halal aspect. This is essential because MBG involves a long supply chain," he said in his statement here on Wednesday.

This, according to him, is in accordance with the mandate of Law Number 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance and Government Regulation Number 42 of 2024 on Halal Product Assurance Implementation.

Hasan noted that with halal certification, every process of providing Free Nutritious Meals is ensured to meet the halal standard.

The government has strengthened its commitment to the free meals program through cooperation between various ministries and agencies, one of which is the cooperation between the BPJPH and the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for halal assurance.

"Nutritional fulfillment is not merely about the availability of nutritious food, but also about meeting the halal aspect, which is a necessity for the majority of people. This synergy will strengthen the nutritional quality and provide halal assurance for the MBG services," BGN Head Dadan Hindayana remarked.

Currently, there are 7,475 Nutritional Fulfillment Service Centers (SPPG), which are kitchens supplying food for the MBG program.

Under the cooperation of BGN and BPJPH, the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to ensure the 7,475 kitchens have certified halal supervisors and all the foods are halal certified.

"This joint commitment demands integration and collaboration of all ministries and agencies so that the halal standards are implemented thoroughly," he remarked.

The MBG program was launched on January 6, 2025, as one of the main initiatives of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.

Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.

Earlier, President Prabowo highlighted his commitment to continue the MBG program with an allocated budget of Rp335 trillion (approximately US$20.34 billion) in the 2026 draft state budget.

The president is targeting the program to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries across the country.