September 24, 2025 | 07:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) compels new free nutritious meal kitchens to use locally-produced food trays as a requirement to register in the program. "We require the use of domestically produced food trays and proof of purchase," said Deputy Head of BGN Nanik S. Deyan on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
Nanik explained that the policy applies to new kitchens that has yet to operate. The food trays are also required to meet certain quality standards, including certain nickel content, to prevent rusting.
This policy comes against the backdrop of imported food trays from China in the free nutritious meal program. According to Nanik, the import of food containers had been ongoing since before the establishment of BGN. At that time, government-run schools imported the food trays as there were no local factories. But as the program was introduced, as many as 25 local food tray, locally known as ompreng, factories have emerged.
In response to allegations of imported food trays from China containing pork grease, Nanik said BGN is working with the Halal Product Assurance Organizer Agency (BPJPH) to conduct inspections.
The first allegations regarding the presence of pork grease were brought forward by the Secretary of PW RMI NU Jakarta, Wafa Riansah. The suspicion arose during a visit to a factory in Chaoshan, China, on August 19, 2025. "We found pork grease, hence I decided against importing there," said Wafa during an interview with Tempo on Tuesday, September 16, 2025.
Wafa brought a sample of the oil to Indonesia for testing at PT Sucofindo, which the company later rejected, citing methodological limitations. Subsequently, Wafa sent the sample to the Weipu laboratory in China.
Tempo has seen a copy of the test results from Weipu laboratory, numbered SHA03-25091211-FX-01CnEnR1. The results indicated that the food trays imported from China for the free nutritious meal program indeed contained pork grease.
Weipu analyzed the sample using three methods: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR), Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer (NMR). "The main component of processed pork fat is triglycerides," the conclusion of the report stated.
According to the safety data sheet, the main components of the sample include processed base oil, synthetic esters, chlorinated paraffins, processed pork fat, rust inhibitors, and lubricants.
Anastasya Lavenia Yudi contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's BGN Suspects Allergies Behind Free Nutritious Meal Poisoning
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's BGN Suspects Allergies Behind Free Nutritious Meal Poisoning
1 jam lalu
BGN suspects two causes of recent food poisoning cases in the free nutritious meal program, one of which is due to allergies.
Indonesia's BGN to Involve Civil Society in Free Meal Poisoning Investigation
8 jam lalu
BGN's investigation team plans to involve civil society to expedite the investigation process of the free nutritious meal poisoning.
Indonesia's BGN Rejects Proposal to Replace Free Meal Program with Cash Aid
1 hari lalu
BGN emphasized that the MBG program scheme was designed long ago under President Prabowo Subianto and should not be altered.
Presidential Staff Office: 5,000 People Poisoned by Free Nutritious Meals
1 hari lalu
The Presidential Staff Office noted that 3 state institutions have different data on the number of people poisoned by the free nutritious meal program
45 Cases of Food Poisoning Recorded in Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program
1 hari lalu
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) detailed the food poisoning cases from the free nutritious meal program in three regions.
Prabowo to Meet All Partners of Free Meal Program After Returning from UN Session
1 hari lalu
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana said President Prabowo warned the free meal program partners to use the provided funds as optimally as possible.
Indonesia's BGN to Form Expert Team to Probe Mass Poisonings in Free Meal Program
2 hari lalu
BGN will form a special team of nutritionists, chemists, and pharmacists, working with BPOM, to investigate recent poisonings in MBG program.
Why Calls to Suspend Prabowo's Free Nutritious Meal Program Are Growing Louder
2 hari lalu
The surge in food poisoning cases from Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has fueled calls to suspend Prabowo's flagship initiative.
Why Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal Program Should Be Halted
2 hari lalu
The government is urged to halt and review the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following recent cases of food poisoning.
Indonesia's Nutrition Agency Claims Free Meal Food Trays Used Are Free of Pork Oil
3 hari lalu
Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) claims that the food tray used for the Free Nutritious Meal program is free of pork oil.
