Jakarta – The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that every Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) or public kitchen for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program must be accompanied by a nutrition expert.
He said the presence of a nutritionist is part of the three main pillars that every MBG kitchen must have.
“The three main pillars of a nutritious meal program must include one SPPG (head of the SPPG), two nutritionists, and three accountants. This is non-negotiable; the SPPG cannot function without these three pillars,” said Dadan.
Dadan explained that nutritionist positions don’t have to be filled solely by nutrition graduates. The government is now opening positions for graduates of Public Health, Food Technology, Food Processing, and Food Safety.
“Until now, nutritionists have only been allowed to have a degree in nutrition. Now, public health, food technology, food processing, and food safety are allowed,” he explained.
On the other hand, Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan, confirmed that the profession of nutritionist is a mandatory component in the implementation of MBG.
“MBG remains mandatory and must be implemented. It requires a nutritionist. Nutritionists are needed because they will be measured later,” said Zulhas.
He emphasized that the quality of Indonesian human resources is largely determined by nutritional adequacy.
“I repeat, MBG needs professional nutritionists to carry out the process,” he said.
The government also requires the presence of environmental health experts at every SPPG. Deputy Minister of Health, Benjamin Paulus Octavianus, stated that the presence of these personnel is crucial for maintaining sanitation and food safety.
“We’ve added one new expert to each SPPG, an environmental health expert. The goal is to ensure clean water, sanitation, and the quality of cooked food are always maintained,” he said.
This step is taken to prevent food poisoning incidents.
Benny explained that he received a direct mandate from the President to ensure the safe and high-quality implementation of the MBG program, particularly as it is linked to accelerating stunting reduction.
“By providing nutritious food for everyone from pregnant women to school-age children, the nutritional quality and intelligence of Indonesian children will improve significantly,” he said.
Going forward, the MBG will continue to be strengthened while awaiting the legal framework for the National Non-Governmental Organization (BGN) as the program manager. The Ministry of Health will assume a supervisory role.
“We ensure that all field reports are closely and transparently monitored,” Benny said.
The government is also taking a cross-sectoral approach to improve the implementation of the MBG.
