An Islamic Legal Review of The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG): an Analysis of The Benefits and Harms for Students in Sidoarjo
Abstract
The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) is a national strategic policy aimed at improving students’ nutritional intake, supporting their readiness to learn, and alleviating the economic burden on families. This study aims to analyze the benefits (maslahah) and risks (mafsadah) of implementing the MBG program for students in Sidoarjo Regency from the perspective of Maqashid al-Sharia. This study employs a qualitative approach with a case study design at junior and senior high schools that have implemented the MBG program. Research informants consist of students aged 12–18 years, teachers, parents, and program administrators selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, field observations, and documentation, which were then analyzed thematically based on the four dimensions of Maqashid Syariah: protection of life (ḥifẓ al-nafs), protection of the mind (ḥifẓ al-‘aql), protection of property (ḥifẓ al-māl), and protection of future generations and the environment (ḥifẓ al-nasl). The research findings indicate that the MBG program provides benefits in the form of improved daily nutritional adequacy for students, enhanced readiness for learning, better meal discipline, and reduced household expenditures on packed lunches or snack money. However, this study also identified several risks, such as food waste resulting from menu mismatches with students’ preferences, plastic or styrofoam packaging waste, distribution delays, and minor issues related to food quality. These findings indicate that the MBG program is, in principle, consistent with the objectives of public welfare under Islamic law; however, it still requires improvements in menu variety, hygiene oversight, waste management, and participatory evaluation to maximize the program’s benefits and minimize its risks.
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