#MBG
Religious Affairs Minister pledges corrective action over non-halal food trays issue
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has pledged immediate corrective action following reports that stainless steel trays used in the government’s Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) may contain pork-derived substances, raising concerns over halal compliance.
Trade ministry asked to support local producers following food tray controversy
Chairman of the Executive Board of the Nahdlatul Ulama Students Association (IPNU), Muhammad Agil Nuruz Zaman, has asked the Ministry of Trade to prioritize domestic producers in supplying food trays for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, following reports that imported trays from China may contain pork-derived substances.
From Chaoshan to Classrooms: Illegal Imports, Health Hazards, and Halal Concerns
In the third week of August 2025, the Indonesia Business Post investigative team traveled to Chaoshan, an industrial hub in Guangdong Province, China. The area, home to 30–40 factories producing food trays for global markets, also supplies trays for a number of importers involved in Indonesia’s “Makan Bergizi Gratis” (MBG) or Free Nutritious Meal program for school children.
Local factories closure, food tray imports and protection of domestic industry
Industry players are seeking the government’s favor to protect domestic manufacturers amid the influx of food trays illegally imported from China that has led to the closure of many local producing companies.
Criticism mounted on imported food trays for free nutritious meals program
Criticism has mounted on the use of imported food trays in the President Prabowo Subianto government’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program despite the capability of local manufacturers to produce them at home.
ICW calls for government transparency over alleged food trays price difference
Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW) has criticized the lack of transparency in the procurement of food trays for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program.
Government sets goal to expand nutrition service centers nationwide
The government is taking measures to speed up provision of nutritional access across the country, targeting the construction of 1,542 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) by the end of 2025.
Indonesia launches first integrated aseptic packaging plant to boost MBG program
Coordinating Minister for the Econom, Airlangga Hartarto, inaugurated Indonesia’s first integrated aseptic packaging facility, PT Lami Packaging Indonesia (Lamipak), in Serang, Banten, on Friday, August 1, 2025.
Free nutritious meals program hits only 7 percent budget use amid fiscal deficit concerns
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati has disclosed that only Rp5 trillion (US$308 million) of the Rp71 trillion allocated for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program has been spent as of the end of June 2025 − just 7 percent of the annual state budget allocation for the program, a key initiative of President Prabowo Subianto.
Kadin invites Chinese entrepreneurs to invest in “free nutritious meal program”
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) has invited Chinese business leaders to invest in the country’s Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG), or Free Nutritious Meal Program, targeting the development of 1,000 community kitchens to support child nutrition and food security.
Bill Gates discusses sustainable development initiatives with President Prabowo
Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft and Co-chair of the Gates Foundation, met with President Prabowo Subianto at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, discussing a number of sustainable development initiatives.
Indonesia's free nutritious meal program seeks Rp50 T budget boost
Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, has proposed an additional Rp50 trillion (US$3 billion) in funding to ensure the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program can meet its goal of reaching 82.9 million beneficiaries by December 2025.