Government Ensures MBG is Contamination-Free and Balanced in Nutrition
Jakarta – The government has confirmed its commitment to implementing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program by ensuring that the food provided is safe, contamination-free, and nutritionally balanced. This program is a strategic step in improving the quality of Indonesia’s human resources by improving the nutrition of children and vulnerable groups.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, said that the budget per serving of food in the MBG program has been adjusted to ensure efficiency without reducing nutritional quality.
“We want IDR 15,000 (per serving), but the budget conditions may be IDR 10,000, we calculate that for those regions it is sufficient, of sufficient quality and nutritious,” said President Prabowo.
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, reported that to date, the MBG program has reached more than 3.5 million beneficiaries throughout Indonesia.
“The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has been implemented in 1,286 nutritional fulfillment service units (SPPG) in 38 provinces and has served 3,506,941 beneficiaries,” said Dadan Hindayana.
In an effort to ensure the quality and benefits of the program in the field, Yovan Iristian from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights conducted monitoring at SMK Negeri 48 Jakarta.
“We want to ensure that this free nutritious meal program runs well and truly provides benefits for students. The food distributed also has good and balanced nutrition,” said Yovan Iristian.
Deputy of the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), Budiono, emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders in implementing the MBG program.
“All free nutritious meal programs must involve collaboration between related stakeholders to be converged so that they can be comprehensive and integrated,” explained Budiono.
The government is also collaborating with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the local Health Office to conduct periodic inspections and supervision to ensure the safety and quality of the food provided.
The Indonesian Ombudsman will supervise the budget and standard operating procedures (SOP) of the MBG management foundations in 34 provinces so that there are no more problems in the implementation of the MBG program
“We will ensure that all standard operating procedures (SOP) have been implemented properly in 34 provinces.” Member of the Indonesian Ombudsman, Yeka Hendra Fatika
The MBG program is expected to not only be able to reduce stunting and malnutrition rates, but also form healthy eating habits from an early age. The government invites the public to support and supervise the implementation of this program for a healthier and smarter future for Indonesia.
