Industry Ministry Launches Halal Audits for Free Meal Program

RRI.CO.ID, West Lampung - The Indonesian Ministry of Industry is moving to ensure that President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program is built on a foundation of strict halal integrity.

On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Ministry announced the commencement of comprehensive halal audits for the Muara Jaya 2 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) in Lampung Barat, signaling a nationwide push to integrate industrial standardization with public welfare.

The audit, conducted by the Center for Standardization and Industrial Services (BSPJI) Bandar Lampung, involves a rigorous verification process. Experts are currently scrutinizing raw material supply chains, processing methods, and the implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH) to ensure that every meal served meets the highest standards of safety and religious compliance.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita emphasized that halal certification is a strategic tool for building public trust and ensuring that national priority programs adhere to top-tier food safety protocols.

“A credible standardization and conformity assessment system must support the strengthening of halal-based industries and services. Thus, the public receives a guarantee that the services received are safe, high-quality, and in accordance with halal provisions,” Minister Agus said on Thursday, as quoted on theMinistry's official website.

He further noted that for strategic initiatives such as the Free Nutritious Meal program, certification reflects more thanregulatory compliance. “This is in line with the President's direction to ensure that national priority programs are implemented with the highest food safety standards,” he added.

To maximize efficiency for the service units (SPPG) managing the meals, the Ministry has introduced an integrated service model. In addition to halal certification, BSPJI Bandar Lampung offers Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification and water quality testing through its environmental laboratories.

Syamdian, Head of BSPJI Bandar Lampung, explained that auditing for these three standards can be performed simultaneously. “This will benefit and make it easier for SPPGs to obtain three services at once in one application to meet their kitchen requirements, making it more effective and efficient,” Syamdian noted.

The Muara Jaya 2 audit follows a string of successful certifications in the Lampung region, including service units in Pesawaran, Tulang Bawang Barat, and Bandar Lampung.

Emmy Suryandari, Head of the Standardization and Industrial Services Policy Agency (BSKJI), noted that, as the front line of public nutrition, the integrity of these units is "non-negotiable."

Through these sustained efforts, the Ministry of Industry aims to transform these Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units into pillars of human resource development, ensuring that the next generation of Indonesians is raised on food that is not only healthy but also safe, standardized, and religiously permissible. ***