Jakarta, March 1 -- Deputy Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono has urged nutrition service units nationwide to uphold strict hygiene and nutritional standards in the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program to safeguard children's health.

"We must ensure that all food ingredients are hygienic and meet proper nutritional value. This concerns the health of our children," Yudhoyono said in a statement confirmed on Sunday.

He stressed that washing and drying procedures for food containers used in the MBG distribution process must be closely monitored to prevent contamination.

According to him, the cleanliness of eating utensils is as critical as the quality of the meals themselves in ensuring...