TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended the operations of 47 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) for the free nutritious meal (MBG) program since the beginning of Ramadan. This decision was made following repeated findings of failure in meeting food quality standards.
As of February 28, 2026, at 11:20 a.m. local time, the Monitoring and Supervision Deputy recorded 47 cases spread across three working areas. There were five incidents in Area I, 30 incidents in Area II, and 12 incidents in Area III.
The findings included moldy bread, rotten and maggot-infested fruits, spoiled dishes, raw or rotten eggs, and meals deemed to be below quality standards.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of BGN, stated that the temporary suspension was part of a non-negotiable quality control mechanism. "We have zero tolerance for food standard deviations in this program. Every finding is immediately addressed by temporarily suspending operations for a comprehensive evaluation," Nanik said, as quoted in a written statement on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
According to Nanik, the decision to suspend the free nutritious meal kitchens was made after field verification processes and hierarchical reports from the regional oversight team. The evaluation covers not only the food products but also kitchen management, distribution chains, and quality control procedures.
"The MBG program concerns children's health and the state's credibility in guaranteeing nutritional intake. Therefore, our supervision is conducted strictly and transparently," she said.
In several cases, food items that were suspected to be below quality standards were withdrawn before being consumed by students. However, BGN still imposed administrative sanctions as a form of upholding standards and systemic improvements for all providers.
"The suspended SPPGs can operate again only after all corrective recommendations have been met and they have successfully passed a re-verification process," Nanik said.
Read: Lawmaker Suggests Cutting Back Scale of Free Nutritious Meals Recipients
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Critics Slam MBG-TV Plan Amid School Food Poisoning Cases
3 hari lalu
The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network criticizes the government's MBG-TV plan, calling it a distraction from food poisoning cases.
BGN Reports Price Markups in Free Nutritious Meals' Kitchens
4 hari lalu
BGN mentioned that the report came from several heads of SPPGs stating there were fraudulent practices in free nutritious meal management.
BGN: Free Nutritious Meal Program Budget Set at Rp8,000-10,000
5 hari lalu
National Nutrition Agency (BGN) says that portion allocation in the free nutritious meal program is set at Rp8,000-10,000 per portion, not Rp15,000.
Prabowo Awards Bintang Jasa Utama to BGN Head
17 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto awarded the Bintang Jasa Utama to BGN Head Dadan Hindayana and several high-ranking police officials.
BGN: Kudus Student Poisoning Caused by E. coli Bacteria
23 hari lalu
As reported previously, 131 students at SMA Negeri 2 Kudus suffered poisoning after consuming the free nutritious meals (MBG).
BGN Backs Prabowo's Claim: MBG Creates 1 Million Jobs
25 hari lalu
BGN confirmed Prabowo's statement that a total of 1.1 million people are currently employed within the MBG program.
BGN Head Talks of Surge in Free Meal-Related Food Poisoning Cases
29 hari lalu
Food poisoning cases linked to the MBG program increased in January 2026. BGN Head Dadan Hindayana explained why this could happen.
Indonesia Plans IQ Tests for Students in Free Nutritious Meal Program
31 hari lalu
The Indonesian government plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the free nutritious meal program after beneficiaries consume the meals for a year.
BGN Welcomes Criticism of Free Nutritious Meal Program
32 hari lalu
Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana stated that he had no problem with the many parties who criticized the free nutritious meal program (MBG).
Govt Adjusts Free Nutritious Meal Program for Ramadan 2026
32 hari lalu
Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan announces adjustments to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program during Ramadan.
:strip_icc():format(jpeg)/kly-media-production/medias/5357081/original/011599400_1758518426-expressive-young-girl-posing.jpg)
