Indonesia issues vitamin safety guidance and revamps school meal program

Health officials warned that certain vitamin combinations can cause harmful effects. Vitamin C can reduce vitamin B‑12 absorption, high doses of vitamin A together with liver products may lead to toxicity, excessive folate can mask B‑12 deficiency, large amounts of vitamin E increase bleeding risk and can neutralise vitamin K, and green‑tea antioxidants may bind iron and impair its absorption.

The Indonesian government plans to reorganise beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme by early August. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the Ministry of Health and the National Nutrition Agency will refine target schools, age groups and regions—especially those with high stunting rates such as Highland Papua and East Nusa Tenggara—and adjust menu standards. Over 13,000 MBG service units will be reviewed, with priority phases aimed at completing the first phase within a month.