JAKARTA – The central government is tightening oversight of the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) Program by requiring all kitchens and Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) to have a Hygiene and Sanitation Certificate (SLHS) as an operational requirement. This policy follows a comprehensive government evaluation of the quality of MBG services.
Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin emphasized that issuing the SLHS is a strategic step to ensure the hygiene and sanitation standards of MBG kitchens. He has coordinated with Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian to urge local governments to expedite the certification process.
“Last Monday, I had a meeting with Mr. Tito. We asked the district/city health offices to help expedite the process of issuing hygiene and sanitation certificates for thousands of SPPGs throughout Indonesia,” said Budi.
According to Budi, SLHS is a written acknowledgement from the health department that a kitchen has met the standards of cleanliness, quality, and sanitation according to regulations.
“The government has simplified the process to make it faster and less complicated,” he added.
Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized that this obligation is non-negotiable. He stated that poisoning cases in the MBG program can be completely prevented by implementing strict quality certification.
“It is mandatory or obligatory for every SPPG to have an SLHS,” Zulhas emphasized in a press conference on handling extraordinary events (KLB).
Meanwhile, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) recorded that as of September 30, 2025, 198 SPPGs had obtained SLHS certification, a significant increase from the previous figure of 35. BGN Deputy Head Nanik S. Deyang emphasized that her agency will continue to push for accelerated certification.
“This concerns food security and the protection of beneficiaries. We are targeting all operating SPPGs to process SLHS by October 2025,” said Nanik.
In addition to SLHS, BGN also encourages MBG kitchens to obtain other supporting certifications, such as HACCP, Veterinary Control Number (NKV), halal certification, and ISO standards. To date, 26 SPPGs are HACCP-certified, 34 are halal-certified, and dozens more meet international standards.
Head of the Legal and Public Relations Bureau of the National Civil Service Agency (BGN), Hida, said the government is inviting the public to actively participate in providing input to strengthen public trust.
“This certification is important to build public trust that MBG kitchens are safe, hygienic, and high-quality,” he said.
With this new policy, the government hopes to restore public trust in the MBG priority program. Beneficiaries are guaranteed nutritious food with strict hygiene standards, while minimizing the risk of future food poisoning cases.
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