Alfitria Nefi P, Jakarta – The Nahdlatul Ulama's wing, Rabithah Ma'ahid Islamiyah (RMI-NU) DKI Jakarta, is urging the Trade Ministry to impose a moratorium on the import of food trays used for the government's free nutritious meal (MBG) project due to the suspected use of pork grease or lard.

"We hope the government will impose a moratorium and stop the import of problematic food trays from the perspective of what is halal and thayyiban," said Rakhmad Zailani Kiki, Chair of RMI-NU DKI Jakarta, in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

The suspected pig content is believed to be in the lard used as a lubricant during the food tray's production in China. Laboratory tests conducted in China by the Shanghai Weipu Testing Technology Group reportedly showed the use of pork grease in the manufacturing process.

Rakhmad stated that halal assurance is not limited to food or beverages. He explained that it also applies to finished goods, including the food trays themselves. This means that the production process of a product is crucial in determining its halal status. "This is a very sensitive issue in Islamic boarding schools," he said.

In addition to addressing the suspected pig content, Rakhmad cautioned the government to ensure it purchases high-quality food trays. He suspects that the low-quality, rust-prone trays may have contributed to recent cases of food poisoning from the free nutritious meal project.

Rakhmad plans to visit the Ministry of Trade's office on Thursday, September 18, 2025, to formally propose the moratorium on the import of food trays for the MBG. If the government does not respond, he plans to hold a meeting with members of parliament and, if necessary, file a lawsuit to halt the imports.

"This is not a competition between local and imported businesses. This is about the findings that are harmful to our nation," he concluded.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2049794/trade-ministry-urged-to-halt-imports-of-unsafe-mbg-food-tray