Jakarta, Aug. 26 -- Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar on Tuesday reaffirmed the Indonesian government's commitment to ensuring that all meals distributed under the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program are both halal and nutritionally balanced.

Speaking to reporters in Jakarta, he affirmed that the food distributed to schools, including madrasahs (Islamic schools), has gone through strict supervision, which includes the halal status of the food.

"The food providers have been warned to ensure the food provided is halal and nutritious," Umar said.

Regarding the supervision mechanism, he noted that his ministry has forged cooperation with the MBG service providers, including in supervising the nutritional quality and distribution o...