Jakarta – The government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the quality of the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) through the implementation of strict standards for all kitchens providing meals for the program.
This step aims to ensure that every meal distributed to beneficiaries truly meets the principles of balanced nutrition and is safe for consumption.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that the government will not tolerate kitchens that fail to meet the established standards.
“The Free Nutritious Meal Program is a major investment in the future of Indonesia’s next generation. Therefore, every kitchen involved must comply with the required standards of hygiene, safety, and nutritional content,” said Dadan.
Meanwhile, East Java Deputy Governor Emil Elestianto Dardak stated that operational standards for the Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) in the MBG Program are non-negotiable.
“We always maintain a single-channel communication system. Any issues encountered in the field are conveyed through the coordination group of MBG Task Force leaders across East Java, which consists of 43 members,” Emil explained.
According to Emil, various findings in the field—ranging from the quality of food menus to kitchen operational standards—are reported through a coordination forum involving MBG Task Force leaders throughout East Java.
“We regularly forward these reports to the National Nutrition Agency. The hope is that firm action will be taken so it can serve as a lesson and create a deterrent effect,” he added.
Emil also appreciated the steps taken by BGN in beginning to enforce strict measures against several SPPG units that were deemed not to have met operational standards, including temporary suspensions for units with similar potential risks.
Some of the factors highlighted include inadequate wastewater treatment installations (IPAL) and the absence of applications for the Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS).
“This firmness is important—not only for those that have been reported but also for SPPG units that may have the same risk factors,” he said.
The government remains optimistic that the strict implementation of standards for thousands of MBG kitchens will form a strong foundation for the success of the program. With a layered monitoring system and cross-sector collaboration, the Free Nutritious Meal Program is expected to improve the nutritional quality of the population while strengthening human resource development toward the realization of Indonesia’s Golden Generation 2045.