The agency responsible for the country’s free meals programme has temporarily closed nearly 2,000 kitchens for failing to register for hygiene checks, its chief said.
The National Nutrition Agency has suspended 1,999 kitchens across Indonesia because they did not register with the health ministry to undergo mandatory hygiene and sanitation certifications, agency chief Sudaryono said on Monday.
There are currently 27,022 kitchens distributing free meals across Indonesia as of Sept 7, he added.
The agency will investigate these kitchens before deciding what further action will be taken, he said, adding that compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards was non-negotiable to ensure food quality and the safety of the recipients of free meals.
Since its launch in January last year, President Prabowo Subianto’s ambitious programme has been marred by a series of problems, including allegations of corruption, leadership changes and massive food poisoning outbreaks. — Reuters
