Government pushes for hygiene certification of 8,000 free meal programme kitchens

Around 8,000 units have yet to obtain an SLHS.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government, under the orchestration of the Coordinating Ministry for Food, is prioritising the acceleration of Hygiene and Sanitation Certificates (SLHS) for around 8,000 Nutrition Service Delivery Units (SPPG) under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme across Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, speaking at a press conference following a meeting on Improving MBG Governance in Jakarta on Wednesday, said that rectifying the environmental health legality of SPPG kitchens is the top priority in order to guarantee the quality of food served to students.

“There are 8,000 that do not yet have an SLHS — that is what needs to be resolved immediately,” he said.

Zulkifli explained that putting in order the thousands of SPPG units lacking the fitness certification is an integral part of improving the 27,000 registered service points.

“For service points in Java and Sumatra that are still in the permitting stage or physical completion, the government targets to finish the arrangements within two months,” Zulkifli added.

When asked whether the SLHS would also apply to school canteens proposed for use in the MBG programme, Zulkifli reaffirmed that resolving strict hygiene standard compliance at operational SPPG kitchen units is crucial and must be settled before the government decides on a scheme to promote the role of school canteens.

“There are more than 8,000 at those SPPG points in Java and Sumatra — we need two months, and how it will be done will be settled within one month and then two months,” he said.