BANGI: Food operators and cafe owners at public universities must provide healthy and balanced menus while continuing the Menu Rahmah initiative, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
This, he said, was to ensure every student receives sufficient nutrition.
"As food providers, the primary consideration should be ensuring that the meals are not only delicious and filling but also beneficial to customers' health.
"I hope that not only Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) but other campuses will continue this initiative.
"This is a form of blessing, including customers' prayers for the quality of the food and its reasonable prices," he said during the launch of Kuali Cafe at UKM here today.
Present were UKM Board of Directors chairman Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mohamad Abd Razak, its vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ekhwan Toriman.
Zahid, who is also the Rural and Regional Development Minister, also urged all food operators and cafe managers at universities to support sustainable waste management efforts.
"I hope UKM will set an example where there is no wastage or food disposal.
"We want to avoid waste, especially materials that could harm our environment."
Meanwhile, Ekhwan said the cafe operating at the university offers Menu Rahmah meals at as low as RM3.
"Kuali Cafe is committed to providing the best quality food and products at reasonable prices, catering to the diverse social and economic backgrounds of campus residents.
"Kuali Cafe will also not overlook B40 students who require special assistance to access food," he said.