JAKARTA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has mandated waste management in the free nutritious meals program through a new regulation on Friday to ensure the initiative not only meets nutritional needs but also safeguards public health and environmental sustainability.

"This regulation is important to protect public health, prevent environmental pollution, and ensure that food hygiene and sanitation principles are properly implemented," said Dadan Hindayana, head of the agency, in a press release.

Under the regulation, each nutrition fulfillment service unit is required to comprehensively manage food waste, solid waste and domestic wastewater, utilizing a circular economy approach to reduce waste and minimize environmental impact.

BGN also mandates regular recording, reporting and monitoring of waste quality, including wastewater oversight at least every three months to ensure compliance with standards.

Program oversight will be carried out collaboratively with ministries and regional governments to ensure effective, hygienic and sustainable implementation.

The program, which was Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's flagship initiative launched in January 2025, aims to combat stunting and improve the nutrition of more than 41.6 million school children, toddlers and pregnant women. ■