Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency shuts four meal program kitchens

Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has permanently shut down four Nutrition Services Units (SPPG) under the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program due to operational misconduct and failure to meet food safety standards. The closed units are located in Karo District, Blora District, Bantul District, and Jayapura District. A total of 10,112 beneficiaries will be transferred to nearby units with valid hygiene certificates to ensure continuity of service.

Simultaneously, government agencies are addressing implementation challenges in underdeveloped, frontier, and remote (3T) regions. The Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) are discussing strategies to accelerate the program in these areas, noting that current SPPG availability in underdeveloped regions is only 10.78%. Challenges include complex geography, limited infrastructure, and weak supply chains.

In a separate incident in Central Lampung, a nutrition unit is evaluating its menu after a student died from choking on longan fruit provided through the MBG program. Nutritionists have also suggested that utilizing local food ingredients could improve program acceptance and support local economies, provided they meet strict nutritional and safety standards.