Bandung – The government has emphasized that operational standards in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) are not merely administrative formalities. Various technical provisions applied in the program, including the requirement for a Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS) for food preparation kitchens, demonstrate the government’s commitment to ensuring the quality, safety, and health standards of the meals consumed by program beneficiaries.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) stressed that every kitchen involved in providing meals for the MBG program must meet strict health and hygiene standards. This requirement aims to ensure that the food served is not only nutritious but also safe for consumption, particularly for schoolchildren who are the main beneficiaries of the program.
Deputy Head of BGN for Nutritional Fulfillment Operations, Sony Sonjaya, stated that his office has instructed all Coordinators of the Nutritional Service Units (KSPBG) to remind kitchen partners to immediately apply for the SLHS certificate through their local health offices.
“This is one of the most important aspects. We have directed all KSPBG coordinators to remind their partners that once they are declared operational, they must register for the SLHS certification process within a maximum of 30 days,” Sony said.
According to Sony, more than 240 SPPG kitchens are currently at risk of being suspended because they have not yet submitted their SLHS registration to the local health authorities.
“If within 30 days they still have not registered, it indicates there is no intention to obtain the hygiene and sanitation eligibility certificate. How can the MBG program run optimally if there is no seriousness in meeting health and hygiene standards?” Sony added.
Sony explained that the SLHS certificate is not merely an administrative formality. The certification serves as an indicator of the kitchen partners’ commitment to providing food production facilities that are healthy, safe, and compliant with sanitation standards.
“This is not just about a certificate. What is more important is the commitment to establishing SPPG kitchens that truly meet health and hygiene requirements,” he stated.
The implementation of strict standards, including the SLHS requirement, demonstrates that the government does not consider the MBG program to be merely ceremonial. Instead, the government aims to ensure that every stage of the program is carried out professionally, measurably, and with a strong focus on public health and safety.
Through this commitment, the government hopes that public trust in the MBG program will continue to increase. With the support of various stakeholders and continuous supervision, the program is expected to become one of the key foundations for building a healthier, stronger, and more competitive Indonesian generation in the future.
