Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) reported that 12 kitchens serving the government's Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program are ready to resume operation after undergoing evaluation.The MBG kitchens — officially called Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) — had been suspended for violating standard operating procedures (SOPs).
BGN head Dadan Hindayana said in Jakarta on Monday that the 12 kitchens, located across several regions, "are ready to operate again after evaluations." He said the agency has disseminated updated SOPs for the MBG program, which also outline sanctions for violations.
Hindayana emphasized that BGN will suspend the operation of any SPPG found violating procedures while investigations are underway. The process may take up to two months, depending on the severity of the case.
The agency is seeking to achieve zero incidents in the MBG program, which targets 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, by implementing stricter safety measures. These include limiting the number of beneficiaries per kitchen and equipping all facilities with rapid food safety test kits.
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Launched on January 6, the MBG program is one of President Prabowo Subianto's priority initiatives to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and school students up to the high school level.
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The program had previously faced disruptions following food poisoning cases in several regions. In response, the government required all MBG kitchens to obtain Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and sanitation (SLHS), and halal certificates.
