President Prabowo Orders MBG Kitchens to Use Test Kits

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has ordered that all kitchens operating the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) Program in various regions must use food test kits before distributing food to students. This policy was issued in response to the mass poisoning cases in the MBG program and as a concrete step to ensure the safety, cleanliness, and nutritional quality of the food served to Indonesian children.

Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya confirmed that President Prabowo gave specific instructions regarding the equipment required for MBG kitchens.

“The President emphasized to the Head of the National Agency for National Development Planning (BGN) that by next week, kitchens must be equipped with test kits,” said Cabinet Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.

Teddy explained that the test kits are used to check food hygiene and filter clean water.

“To check food hygiene, hygienic washing and drying equipment must be equipped with warm water and special tools to prevent bacteria, and clean water filters must be provided,” Teddy added.

Previously, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, stated that President Prabowo had instructed all MBG kitchens to follow the operational model of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) under the auspices of the Indonesian National Police (Polri). In this regard, the Polri SPPG has implemented the use of rapid test kits before distributing food to prevent food poisoning.

“They conduct rapid tests before the food is distributed,” said Dadan.

According to Dadan, the standards implemented by the Polri SPPG are considered good, as no cases of MBG poisoning have been reported. Therefore, this model can serve as an example for SPPGs in other regions.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) also highlighted the fact that many nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) or kitchens within the MBG program lack proper water sanitation. They believe this condition is one of the potential issues triggering food poisoning cases in several regions over the past two months.

The policy of using test kits is seen as a way to strengthen the governance and oversight of the MBG program, which is a national priority under President Prabowo Subianto’s administration. With this step, the government hopes to prevent food poisoning cases in schools and ensure that every child receives healthy, nutritious, and safe food.—

[edRW]