BPOM Tightly Monitors Free Nutritious Meal Program for Safe Food Quality

Jakarta – The Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) has confirmed its commitment to ensuring that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program runs according to food safety standards.

The Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, said that his party is ready to oversee every stage of the implementation of the program initiated by the government to improve the nutrition of Indonesian children.

“Since the beginning, we have played an active role in supporting and ensuring that the MBG program meets food safety standards. This is important so that Indonesian children get healthy and quality food,” said Taruna.

As part of this effort, BPOM has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

The collaboration aims to ensure that the entire production, distribution, and consumption processes of food in the MBG program meet strict standards related to nutrition and food safety.

Taruna acknowledged that a national program as large as MBG faces major challenges.

“Timely food distribution is still an obstacle in several regions. In addition, ensuring nutritional standards and food safety from more than 30,000 production kitchens is a major challenge that we must overcome,” he explained.

He also highlighted the importance of anticipating the risk of extraordinary events (KLB) such as food poisoning.

“By targeting 82 million children, we must ensure that there is no contamination or food that is not fit for consumption,” said Taruna.

Meanwhile, the Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, welcomed BPOM’s support in this program.

“We are happy that BPOM accompanies us in terms of monitoring, supervision, and evaluation, especially related to hygiene and food safety,” said Dadan.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Abdul Mu’ti, also emphasized the importance of comprehensive supervision of the MBG program.

“Supervision is of course carried out by the National Nutrition Agency as the implementer. However, there are also nutritionists who accompany to ensure that the MBG program is truly nutritious,” he said.

Mu’ti also added that supervision is not only carried out from a health aspect, but also financial.

“Accountants are also involved to ensure the accountability of this program, from the provision process to the distribution of food to children,” he explained.

According to Mu’ti, the MBG program not only aims to improve children’s nutrition but also supports the healthy school program.

“In addition to improving character, MBG also strengthens the school health program. We can measure height, weight, and other health aspects,” he concluded.