November 8, 2025 | 02:58 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has begun preparing a special menu for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program targeting pregnant women, nursing mothers, and toddlers.
The matter became a key topic in the first daily coordination meeting of the MBG Coordinating Team, held at the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment office in Jakarta on Friday, November 7, 2025.
The Daily Chair of the MBG Coordinating Team, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, said the meeting focused on three major cross-ministerial issues: designing a balanced nutritious menu, implementing 19 new health standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ensuring a steady supply of food ingredients for the program.
“Our focus is to make sure that the MBG menu and its distribution for toddlers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers truly meet nutritional and food safety standards,” said Nanik, who also serves as Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Body (BGN), as quoted from BGN’s official statement on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
The meeting was attended by representatives from three coordinating ministries and 13 ministries and institutions involved in the MBG program.
Nanik emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration, noting that the large-scale program involves 14,299 Nutritious Food Production Centers (SPPG) serving around 40 million beneficiaries.
According to Nanik, the increased demand for food ingredients from these centers has led to price hikes in commodities such as chicken, eggs, and vegetables. To address this, the BGN is forming a special working group with relevant ministries to maintain a stable food supply.
“If not anticipated, the availability of food ingredients could become a serious issue,” she warned.
Nanik also underscored the need for active participation from multiple ministries and institutions to ensure food security.
The government, she said, is working with the Indonesian Army (TNI AD) and the Ministry of Cooperatives to strengthen production capacity.
Under the plan, the Army will develop egg-laying chicken farms and agricultural plots managed by local military commands (Kodim), while the Ministry of Cooperatives will allocate hundreds of billions of rupiah in revolving funds to support production cooperatives that supply ingredients to SPPGs.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reported that only 1,218 out of 14,000 SPPGs operating across Indonesia have obtained a Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS).
Many MBG kitchens have failed to meet health standards due to E. coli contamination in water sources and unsuitable physical conditions.
In response, the Ministry has proposed 19 new SOPs to standardize health and hygiene requirements across all kitchens.
“BGN and the Ministry of Health will coordinate closely to ensure that temporarily suspended kitchens can resume operations once they comply with the SOPs,” Nanik said.
During the meeting, representatives from the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) also proposed adjusting menu variations and distribution patterns for pregnant women and toddlers according to their specific nutritional needs.
This is important to ensure the program truly delivers health benefits, not just meals,” Nanik added.
The government targets 83 million MBG recipients in 2026, including students, toddlers, pregnant women, and nursing mothers. By 2027, the program will be expanded to cover the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-income groups.
“The President’s goal is for all underprivileged citizens in Indonesia to receive free nutritious meals every day by 2027,” Nanik said. “That’s why we must thoroughly prepare the menus, health standards, and food supply systems.”
Editor’s Choice: Over 35 Million Indonesian Households Receive Social Assistance, Says Minister
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Danantara Indonesia to Invest Rp20 Trillion in Chicken Farms to Support the Free Meal Program
18 jam lalu
Indonesian Agriculture Minister is confident that chicken farming can strengthen the national supply of chicken and eggs and support the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG).
Imported Grapes for Free Meal Program Found to Contain Cyanide in Sukoharjo, Central Java
22 jam lalu
A batch of green imported grapes for beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal program (MBG) tested positive for around 30 milligrams of cyanide.
Indonesian Govt to Distribute Rp6 Million Incentive to Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens
2 hari lalu
The free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchen incentive amount is valid for two years. After that time, an evaluation will be carried out.
Politician Addresses Food Price Surge Linked to Free Nutritious Meal Program
3 hari lalu
A House member believes the government failed to prepare an adequate system to anticipate the supply chain impact of the Free Nutritious Meal program.
Perindo Supports Prabowo's Initiatives-Free Nutritious Meals to People's Schools
3 hari lalu
Angela Tanoesoedibjo, the Chair of Perindo Party, expressed her support for Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto's programs like free nutritious meal
Indonesia's Free Meal Program May Expand to Elderly and People with Disabilities
3 hari lalu
Indonesia's Social Minister has proposed to President Prabowo expanding the flagship MBG program to cover the elderly and people with disabilities.
Minister: Prabowo Government's Success Hinges on Free Meal Program
3 hari lalu
The MBG program has been one of Prabowo's key priorities since his 2024 presidential campaign.
JPPI: Indonesia's MBG Food Poisoning Cases Reach 16,109 as of October 31
3 hari lalu
According to JPPI, the number of poisoning victims has surged in recent months, from 2,226 cases in August to 6,052 in September and 6,823 in October.
Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meals Program Under Fire for Safety Failures and Governance Breakdown
6 hari lalu
Indonesia's flagship free nutritious meals (MBG) initiative is now facing intense scrutiny following a series of mass food poisoning incidents.
Human Rights Ministry Monitors Multiple Free Meal Poisoning Cases in Indonesia
7 hari lalu
The Ministry of Human Rights claims to have conducted monitoring in the distribution of free nutritious meals (MBG).
