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February 4, 2025 | 12:02 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, said there is no official guideline for determining the menu of the free nutritious meal program, which has been running since January 6, 2025. Instead of a standardized menu, BGN sets standards based on nutritional aspects.
"We set nutritional composition standards. Therefore, at each Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), the Nutrition Agency assigns a nutritionist to formulate menus based on local resource potential and community preferences," said Dadan when met at the Parliament Complex after a working meeting with Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR) on Monday evening, February 3, 2025.
He also clarified his previous statement, which went viral, suggesting insects such as grasshoppers and sago worms as part of the free nutritious meal menu. "We mentioned that certain communities enjoy those foods. So, for communities that do not like them, it would not be used," he explained.
He then gave an example that in regions producing eggs, most animal protein sources might come from eggs. Dadan joked that some people might feel unwell if they don’t consume their local specialty foods for more than two days. However, he added that egg-based menus would occasionally be supplemented with fish or meat.
The Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) lecturer also stated that determining the free nutritious meal menu includes selecting carbohydrate sources based on local culture and resource potential. "For example, in the Sundanese region, people mostly eat rice. In East Nusa Tenggara, it's corn; in Halmahera, it's cassava and boiled bananas. Meanwhile, in Ambon and Papua, sago is processed into papeda," Dadan explained, providing detailed examples.
After listing various staple carbohydrates from different regions, Dadan explained that utilizing diverse local resources for the free nutritious meal program (MBG) carries a meaningful message for its beneficiaries. "It teaches children that diversity and local wisdom are also important for food security in each region," he said.
Previously, Dadan mentioned that insects could serve as an alternative protein source in the free nutritious meal program. He explained that the MBG menu is designed based on local potential, allowing certain regions to incorporate insects that are commonly consumed by the local community. "Some regions may enjoy eating insects such as grasshoppers or sago worms, which can be a source of protein," Dadan stated during his presentation at the National Leadership Meeting of Perempuan Indonesia Raya on Saturday, January 25, 2025.
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