The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is not just about fulfilling nutritional needs, but also a commitment to providing safe, healthy, and halal food for the nation’s children. Through the collaboration between BGN and LPPOM, the spirit of halal certification has become a joint movement to ensure that every MBG dish provides nutrition that nourishes the body and soothes the heart.
Providing nutritious food to Indonesian children not only fulfills nutritional needs but also instills the values ​​of goodness, cleanliness, and blessings from an early age. This is the spirit behind the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program, a national initiative that is part of the government’s ambitious vision to build a healthy, strong, and competitive generation of Indonesians.
However, as stated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Sitti Aida Adha Taridala, M.Si., Director of Nutritional Fulfillment Governance, Deputy for Systems and Governance of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), good nutrition alone is not enough. Food consumed by the public, especially food from government programs, must also be safe, healthy, and halal.
This message was conveyed in the webinar “Halal in Your Hands: MBG Kitchen Certification Completed in 1 Month” held on October 8, 2025. This event was a collaboration between the KPPG Bogor and LPPOM, and was attended by more than 2,500 online participants via Zoom and LPPOM’s Instagram Live. This webinar provided an important platform for MBG program participants to understand that halal certification is not merely an administrative obligation but also a moral and social responsibility.
Legal Basis for MBG Halal Certification
Prof. Aida explained that the obligation for halal certification for MBG kitchens has a strong legal basis through the 2014 Halal Product Assurance Act (UU JPH), which requires all products and services distributed in Indonesia to be guaranteed halal. This provision is reinforced by Memorandum of Understanding Number 12 of 2025 between BPJPH and the National Nutrition Agency concerning Synergy in the Implementation of Halal Product Assurance in the National Nutrition Fulfillment Program.
The BGN’s general governance guidelines state that all food production and distribution processes within the MBG program must comply with Islamic sharia principles. The goal is to ensure social acceptability and program sustainability, as only by doing so can public trust be maintained.
However, the implementation of halal certification still takes into account regional contexts. “If in a certain area all beneficiaries are non-Muslim, then halal certification is permissible. However, if there is even one Muslim beneficiary, halal certification is mandatory,” explained Prof. Aida.
She emphasized that halal certification is not solely a religious matter, but also concerns food safety, hygiene, and sanitation. “When we carry out halal certification, we safeguard not only sharia aspects but also public health. So, no party is disadvantaged; in fact, everyone benefits,” she added.
Why Does MBG Need Halal Certification?
The MBG program involves thousands of partners from various sectors of society, including MSMEs, Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes), and cooperatives. Many of them are located in areas that still struggle to meet hygiene and sanitation standards. Through halal certification, food providers will be encouraged to improve the quality of their hygiene, raw materials, and production processes. “Halal isn’t just about ingredients, but also about how something is processed, stored, and distributed,” explained Prof. Aida.
She also highlighted that variations in ingredients and production processes across regions pose potential risks such as the use of non-halal ingredients, cross-contamination, and weak sanitation supervision. With halal certification, all of these risks can be minimized through a standardized and sustainable monitoring system.
According to Prof. Aida, the success of the MBG program rests on three main pillars: nutrition, safety, and halal. Adequate nutrition is the main foundation for developing superior human resources, while safety ensures that every food is free from contamination and fit for consumption.
The halal aspect complements these two pillars, as halal is not only a moral and religious obligation, but also a standard of quality and public trust. “Halal certification provides peace of mind and assurance to program recipients that the food they consume is truly safe and wholesome,” he said.
Halal Certification Acceleration Initiative Completed in 1 Month
According to the official BGN website, there are 30,000 partners registered on the official BGN portal. Of these, 11,504 partners have completed the verification process, while the remaining partners are still in progress. BGN’s target by the end of 2025 is 25,400 partners in agglomeration areas and 6,000 SPPGs in remote areas, with a total beneficiary population of 82.9 million.
Once the Nutrition Fulfillment Implementation Units (SPPGs) are established and operational, the halal certification issuance process will begin immediately. “This certification program, which was completed in one month, is an extraordinary step that can be achieved if all parties are committed. LPPOM is ready to assist, but the enthusiasm and readiness of the SPPG itself are also very important,” emphasized Prof. Aida.
As a halal inspection agency with over three decades of experience, LPPOM plays an active role in providing comprehensive support to MBG practitioners. On the same occasion, LPPOM introduced the educational program “Halal On 30,” a short 30-minute learning session that explains the halal certification process in a practical and easy-to-understand manner. This program, accessible online through bit.ly/HalalOn30, is a simple yet effective step to strengthen the implementation of halal standards in accordance with BPJPH regulations.
Through the synergy between BGN, BPJPH, and LPPOM, the Free Nutritious Meal program not only provides nutritious food to millions of Indonesian children but also ensures that every meal they enjoy is safe, healthy, and halal. Because, truly, the best nutrition is not only filling, but also calming and bringing goodness to all. (YN)
