The Association of Free Nutritious Meal Caterers and Managers\n(APPMBGI) is pushing for strengthened governance of the Free Nutritious\nMeals (MBG) programme through several strategic measures. These efforts\nare deemed important to ensure service quality, food safety, and\ncontinued protection of children\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
APPMBGI Chairman Abdul Rivai Ras stated that a comprehensive\nevaluation of the MBG programme implementation is necessary to make the\nprogramme increasingly effective, transparent, and earn broader public\ntrust.<\/p>\n
According to Rivai, the government together with the National\nNutrition Board (BGN) has significant opportunities to strengthen\nprogramme governance through comprehensive audits and evaluations,\ncovering both budgetary aspects and operational kitchens or MBG Service\nUnits.<\/p>\n
\u201cA comprehensive evaluation is important to ensure this programme is\ntruly student-oriented, not merely a project,\u201d Rivai said when met at\nhis office in East Jakarta on Friday (23 May).<\/p>\n
Rivai also emphasised the importance of strengthening food safety\nstandards in the implementation of MBG. He believed that oversight of\nsanitation, sterilisation of equipment, and food processing procedures\nneeds continuous improvement to ensure the quality of food received by\nstudents remains safe and fit for consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government must take swift action to tighten oversight of\nsanitation, sterilisation of equipment, and food processing,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
As part of strengthening work on the ground, APPMBGI proposed that\nschools be given a greater role in maintaining food quality. Rivai\nbelieved that school authorities need the authority to reject or return\nfood if deemed unfit for consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe BGN can empower and give schools the courage to return or reject\nfood if deemed unfit, stale, or unhygienic upon receipt,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Additionally, APPMBGI encourages the involvement of local nutrition\npersonnel, related associations, and credible certification bodies to\nstrengthen the food quality monitoring system. The involvement of\nvarious parties is believed to make programme oversight more effective,\nresponsive, and suited to field conditions.<\/p>\n
Rivai added that information transparency to the public is also an\nimportant part of strengthening public confidence in the MBG programme.\nAccording to him, open disclosure of evaluation results, investigations,\nand mitigation measures can demonstrate the organisers\u2019 commitment to\nmaintaining programme quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cOrganisers are expected to be more open about investigation results\nand mitigation of case handling so that public confidence can be\nrestored,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Rivai emphasised that these various strategic measures are part of\njoint efforts between the government, civil society, and associations to\nensure the MBG programme runs increasingly well. With strong governance,\nthe programme is expected to continue supporting child nutrition\nfulfilment, maintaining product quality, and ensuring sustainable\nbenefits for students.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/food-safety-standards-need-strengthening-1780365624", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }