JAKARTA – The controversy surrounding the use of pork oil in the production process of food trays for Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis/MBG) program continues to generate significant debate. Despite assurances from the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional/BGN) that the final food tray products contain no pork oil residue and have undergone thorough sterilization processes, Islamic religious authorities maintain that such products cannot be considered halal.

Religious Authority’s Firm Stance on Manufacturing Standards

Rakhmad Zailani Kiki, Chairman of Rabithah Ma’ahid Islamiyah Nahdlatul Ulama (RMI-NU) for Jakarta, emphasized that halal certification standards extend beyond the final product’s composition to encompass the entire manufacturing process.

“In our halal standards and procedures, the halal process is not determined solely by the end result. Even if the final product tests negative [for prohibited substances], but the production process uses impure or forbidden materials such as alcohol or pork oil, this becomes a concern and renders the product non-halal,” Rakhmad stated during a meeting at the Ministry of Trade office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

Legal Framework for Halal Certification

The religious leader explained that according to Indonesia’s Halal Product Guarantee Law, halal certification is not exclusively determined by the final product’s characteristics but must also consider the manufacturing process. If prohibited or impure substances like alcohol or pork oil are used during production, the product remains classified as non-halal, even if these substances are completely removed from the final output through cleaning processes.

Rakhmad emphasized that mandatory halal requirements cannot be compromised, regardless of whether pork oil residues are eliminated from the finished product. “This remains non-negotiable because our law regulates the process for consumer goods,” he added.

Government Agency’s Technical Explanation

Previously, BGN Director Dadan Hindayana clarified that the widespread concern was not related to the food tray material itself, but rather to the oil used during the manufacturing process.

“The issue is not with the food tray itself, because food tray components are metallic, including nickel. So there is no oil within the food tray structure,” Dadan explained during a meeting at his office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 18, 2025.

“The oil is used during the stamping or molding process on the equipment to prevent overheating and facilitate easier processing. After molding, the oil is then cleaned off, soaked, and cleaned until it becomes sterile,” he elaborated.

Manufacturing Process Concerns

Dadan acknowledged that the controversy arose due to the type of oil used in the production process. However, he assured that imported food containers must carry halal labels while promoting domestic industry-based production.

“The issue concerns the use of [pork] oil. For domestic production, most manufacturers use vegetable oil, which is plant-based. We will focus on making these food trays based on domestic industry. For imports, we have coordinated with BPJPH so that imported food trays are already stamped with halal certification,” Dadan stated.

Legal Requirements Under Indonesian Law

According to Law Number 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Guarantee (UU JPH), all products circulating in Indonesia must be halal-certified. This requirement became effective on October 18, 2024, and covers food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, and consumer goods. Halal certification implementation falls under the authority of the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (Badan Penyelenggara Jaminan Produk Halal/BPJPH).

The Halal Product Guarantee Law also stipulates that halal determination is based not only on the final result but also on the production process. This means that using prohibited substances such as pork oil, alcohol, or other impure materials during production renders the product non-halal, even if these substances are eliminated from the final product.

Industry and Religious Standards Conflict

This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between industrial efficiency practices and religious compliance requirements in Indonesia. While manufacturers may use certain materials for technical purposes during production, religious authorities maintain that the entire supply chain and manufacturing process must comply with halal standards.

Implications for the MBG Program

The debate over food tray halal certification poses challenges for Indonesia’s ambitious Free Nutritious Meal program, which aims to provide meals to millions of students and pregnant women. The program requires massive quantities of food containers, creating pressure to balance cost-effectiveness, supply chain reliability, and religious compliance.

Moving Forward

The resolution of this controversy will likely require enhanced coordination between government agencies, religious authorities, and manufacturers to establish clear guidelines that satisfy both technical requirements and religious standards. This may involve stricter oversight of the manufacturing process and potentially higher costs to ensure full compliance with halal certification requirements from production inception to final delivery.

The case serves as a reminder that in Indonesia’s diverse society, policy implementation must carefully consider religious sensitivities alongside practical considerations to maintain public trust and program effectiveness.

Original Article:

CNBC Indonesia. (2025, September 21). NU Klaim Food Tray MBG Tidak Halal walau Sudah Steril dari Minyak Babi .  Retrieved from https://www.cnbcindonesia.com/news/20250918193100-4-668318/nu-klaim-food-tray-mbg-tidak-halal-walau-sudah-steril-dari-minyak-babi