Kemenhaj Targets to Send 600 Tons of Indonesian Special Spices for Hajj 2026

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah targets to be able to send 600 tons of typical Indonesian spices to meet the needs of Indonesian prospective pilgrims in the implementation of the 1447 Hijriah/2026 Masehi hajj.

Minister of Hajj and Umrah Mohammad Irfan Yusuf said the target for shipment was greater than the previous year's implementation which reached 475 tons.

"Last year it was 400 tons more, we estimate this year around 600 tons," said Irfan Yusuf as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, January 8.

Irfan Yusuf said the government is trying to provide Hajj consumption services that suit the taste of the Indonesian people, while meeting nutritional standards to support the health of pilgrims during the pilgrimage in the holy land.

"We are aware that food is one of the supporting factors for the health of the pilgrims. The implementation of the hajj requires a strong and healthy body, so food has a great influence on our pilgrims," he said.

To ensure the quality and nutritional content of food, the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has involved a number of educational institutions and food expertise, including universities in the field of food, hospitality schools, and culinary institutions.

"Everything is in order to ensure that first the taste is in, the taste is also in. Insyaallahaman, because we are very strict in supervision and ensuring it," he said.

There are standards for assessing the suitability of food, including the number of servings, weight, quality of ingredients, and nutritional content.

In addition, he emphasized the importance of improving the packaging and storage aspects of food in Saudi Arabia. Based on findings in the field last year, there are still spices that are damaged due to poor packaging and storage.

"We make sure that no one uses preservatives, because it will make the taste different and potentially spoil quickly," he said.

Regarding consumer service providers, Irfan Yusuf said that the number of companies involved was more than 10, including seasoning and ready-to-eat (RTE) food providers.

RTE food is prepared specifically for pilgrims in Arafah and Mina, given the limited distribution at the location.

As for elderly pilgrims, the government has prepared special menus that are more friendly, such as porridge and green beans, with adjustments to distribution according to the conditions and needs of pilgrims.

"The distribution depends on the situation, so that all pilgrims can be served well," said Irfan Yusuf.