Jakarta, п The Indonesian government continues to demonstrate extraordinary commitment in making the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) a success as a strategic effort to improve national nutritional quality and create a healthy generation.
Since its launch in January 2025, the MBG program has become an important milestone in the human resource development agenda. The government has proactively conducted evaluations to improve the implementation of the program to make it more targeted and of high quality.
Coordinating Minister for Food, Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that a major evaluation will be conducted in June or July to strengthen the effectiveness of the program. This step shows the government’s seriousness in maintaining the quality of nutritious food services for all beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, gave full support to the strengthening of food quality and safety standards distributed through the MBG program. She said that evaluation is a form of state responsibility so that the implementation of this program is increasingly optimal.
рEvaluation needs to be done to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. If the program is good, then its implementation must also continue to be improved to bring maximum benefits,с said Puan.
In ensuring the safety of processed food, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) has taken concrete steps through food testing in 50 locations in 22 provinces. The results are very encouraging because most of the food samples have met the safety and consumption eligibility standards.
Minor findings in organoleptic and microbiological tests actually emphasize the government’s commitment through BPOM to continue to carry out active monitoring and comprehensive improvements to ensure healthy and safe food for all recipients.
The government also shows seriousness in managing food efficiently and sustainably. The National Food Agency (NFA) is working hard to reduce potential waste through an excess food management system.
Based on data from Bappenas, the high potential for food waste from the MBG program is not an obstacle, but rather a trigger for distribution innovation and cross-sector collaboration for national food efficiency.
Bapanas Food Alert Director, Nita Yulianis emphasized the importance of risk management in the MBG program.
рWe see two important points for strengthening efficiency, namely in the implementing unit and the location of the beneficiaries. The government continues to ensure that every nutritious food prepared is appropriate and on target,с Nita said.
With continuous evaluation steps and collaborative system strengthening, the Indonesian government has demonstrated its serious commitment to improving the nutrition of children and pregnant women through the MBG Program.
This program is real evidence that the state is present in building the future of a healthy, intelligent, and superior generation of Indonesia. [^]
