August 11, 2026 | 11:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Schoolchildren are warned not to take free nutritious meals (MBG) home to prevent food poisoning. The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, underscored that the meals must be consumed within a specified time period.
According to Sudaryono, meals that have been taken home could experience changes in quality, since storage conditions have left the supervision program operators. "We urge students, and we also ask teachers, to inform their classmates and students not to take home free nutritious meals," Sudaryono said in an official statement on Monday, August 10, 2026.
Sudaryono explained that food quality after being taken home cannot be fully determined, including how it was stored until finally consumed. This, he said, raised the risk of food poisoning.
"Because we don't know the quality of the food we take home, we don't know the extent of the damage, which could lead to poisoning for students who consume it," Sudaryono said.
Sudaryono explained that some parents of students had also experienced food poisoning after consuming MBG food they brought home. Therefore, BGN urges schools and teachers to encourage students to consume free meals according to the regulations. "So, let's work together to ensure that MBG is safe and nutritious," he said.
Previously, Sudaryono stated that compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) is key to MBG food safety. This step follows up on the evaluation of several food safety incidents that occurred during the program's implementation.
Sudaryono ensured that reports of suspected food poisoning are always followed up through temporary suspension of the relevant SPPG, food sample testing, and investigations to determine the cause.
"We will find out, then we will dismiss the head of the SPPG, and we will investigate the cause of the poisoning," Sudaryono said during a press conference at the BGN office in Jakarta on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Read: BGN Plans 'Best Before' Label for Free Nutritious Meals
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