Sudaryono, head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), has called for food in the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) that is deemed unfit for consumption to not be eaten and to be returned immediately to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG). Sudaryono stressed the importance of food safety oversight at every stage of the programme's implementation, including when food arrives and is about to be consumed at educational institutions.
In a nutrition literacy and food safety webinar for teachers in Jakarta on Wednesday, Sudaryono explained that if even one component of a meal is found to be unfit for consumption—such as a side dish, vegetable, or fruit that smells rotten—then all the food must not be eaten. Inspection of food by teachers is an important part of ensuring food safety before MBG is consumed by students.
Sudaryono emphasised that if food is deemed unfit, it must all be returned to the MBG kitchen for further inspection and investigation to prevent food that could potentially harm health. Teachers are encouraged to play a role in organoleptic inspection by checking the condition of food before it is consumed with students.
The BGN also stressed that food safety is a top priority in the implementation of MBG. If negligence occurs that impacts food safety, firm action will be taken against the SPPG as part of the BGN's commitment to strengthen oversight and ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all programme beneficiaries.
