Indonesia tightens MBG food safety rules after student illness

3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono reiterated his commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against food safety incidents and irregularities in the implementation of the Free Nutritional Meals (MBG) program.

He made the statement after visiting students from SMK Negeri 6 Semarang who were affected by an alleged food safety incident at several hospitals in Semarang on Saturday.

“As the new Head of BGN, I will ensure zero tolerance for food poisoning, corruption, and dishonest practices, such as embezzlement,” he said in an official statement in Jakarta, Sunday.

He emphasized that all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) are required to strictly adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) to prevent similar food safety incidents from recurring.

According to him, compliance with SOPs and kitchen management systems is key to ensuring food safety for beneficiaries. He emphasized that kitchen heads have full responsibility for ensuring all procedures are carried out in a disciplined manner.

“To prevent a recurrence, we must follow the SOP, the system and the head of SPPG. I understand you have chefs, nutrition supervisors, or other people working there, and maybe one or two are stubborn, so there must be firm leadership,” he said.

Sudaryono said SPPG heads must take firm action against staff who do not comply with hygiene and food safety procedures, for example not washing hands, not wearing gloves, or not wearing masks while preparing food.

“If there are kitchen employees who do not comply, they must be removed. Must be firm, because people’s health and lives are very important. There will be no more (tolerance),” he said.