Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency on Monday ordered stricter inspections of raw food ingredients used in government-funded free meal kitchens, following food poisoning cases linked to improper storage and substandard supplies.The agency instructed Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, known as SPPG, to verify the quality of meat, vegetables, and other ingredients before cooking meals distributed under the Free Nutritious Meal program.

Deputy agency head for public communication and investigation Nanik Sudaryati Deyang said inspections are essential to ensure meals are safe and nutritionally sound, preventing incidents that could harm program beneficiaries.

“If ingredients show signs of being unfit, such as unhealthy chicken, spoiled vegetables, or low-quality tofu, they must be returned immediately to partner suppliers,” Deyang said in an official statement.

She also warned nutrition and financial supervisors to reject any interference from SPPG partners in kitchen operations, particularly attempts to alter menus approved by nutrition supervisors.

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Such interventions are often justified by claims that supervisors lack experience or market knowledge, but Deyang said those arguments mask efforts to cut costs and boost profits through inferior ingredients.

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Deyang cited a case in Magelang, Central Java, where chicken stored at 19 degrees Celsius in a malfunctioning freezer allowed salmonella bacteria to develop, poisoning around 200 people.

She said damaged equipment must not be used and should be reported immediately, adding that rental partners are obligated to replace faulty tools with equipment meeting required safety standards.

 



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