Jakarta – The government has confirmed that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program will continue during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah, with several technical adjustments without compromising balanced nutrition standards for beneficiaries. This policy is intended to ensure the nutritional needs of the community, particularly students and vulnerable groups, amid changing consumption patterns during the fasting month.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized that the technical guidelines for implementing the MBG during Ramadan have been developed with food safety and nutritional quality in mind. “The menus prepared must still meet balanced nutritional standards and avoid the use of ultra-processed foods,” Dadan said. He explained that in schools where the majority of students are fasting, food is distributed in dry packaging so it can be taken home and consumed at iftar.
Meanwhile, in Islamic boarding schools or boarding schools, food distribution is carried out closer to iftar time to ensure the quality and freshness of the food. The government ensures that recipient areas or groups not observing the fast will still receive food distribution as usual.
Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that the MBG program will not be suspended during Ramadan. “The government continues to guarantee the rights of children and vulnerable groups to adequate nutrition. These adjustments are purely technical to ensure the program remains effective,” he said. He added that distribution flexibility is a strategic step to adapt policies to community conditions without compromising the nutritional value of food.
In addition to adjusting distribution, the government is also strengthening coordination across ministries and agencies to ensure the program runs smoothly. Monitoring the food supply chain and conducting market operations is aimed at maintaining price stability and ensuring the availability of MBG raw materials during Ramadan. The government considers these measures crucial to maintaining nutritional quality despite increased demand for staple foods.
The government also implemented a transition period at the beginning of Ramadan to allow all implementing units to adjust to the new mechanisms in the field. After the adjustment period, the program resumed with an updated distribution scheme in accordance with BGN guidelines.
Overall, the adjustments to the MBG program during Ramadan reflect the government’s adaptive approach to implementing social policy. By maintaining balanced nutritional standards, monitoring distribution, and maintaining open public communication, the government is optimistic that this program will continue to contribute to improving public health and preventing stunting, while ensuring the continuity of public services during the holy month.