{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1757537,
        "msgid": "idai-responds-to-criticism-bgn-chief-says-mbg-program-does-not-distribute-infant-formula-on-a-mass-scale-1779542140",
        "date": "2026-05-22 15:19:41",
        "title": "IDAI Responds to Criticism; BGN Chief Says MBG Program Does Not Distribute Infant Formula on a Mass Scale",
        "author": "Andri Saubani",
        "source": "REPUBLIKA",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Regulation",
        "summary": "The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) criticised the National Nutrition Agency's MBG programme for distributing infant formula en masse. BGN chief Dadan Hindayana rejects the claim, saying MBG does not provide infant formula for 0-6 months and aligns with WHO and Indonesian health regulations protecting exclusive breastfeeding. Any use of follow-on formulas or growth formulas is limited to targeted nutritional interventions under medical indications, not mass distribution or promotion of the dairy industry.",
        "content": "<p>REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA \u2013 The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI)\nhas criticised the policy of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) which\ndistributed infant formula on a mass scale in the Free Nutritious Meals\n(MBG) programme. However, BGN says that narrative is not true.<\/p>\n<p>BGN head Dadan Hindayana says there needs to be a correction in the\nnarrative that MBG program distributes infant formula to babies on a\nmass scale. He says the policy is in line with the principles of the\nWorld Health Organization (WHO) and national regulations protecting\nexclusive breastfeeding.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018For babies aged 0-6 months there is no infant formula intervention\nin the MBG programme. Therefore, MBG does not provide any option for\ninfant formula,\u2019 he said in a statement on Friday (22\/5\/2026).<\/p>\n<p>He noted that the policy is also in line with Health Law No.\u00a017 of\n2023, Regulation No.\u00a028 of 2024 on Health, and WHO recommendations\nrelated to protecting exclusive breastfeeding. In those regulations,\nproducts such as follow-on formula for babies aged 6-12 months, growth\nformula for children aged 12-36 months, and special drinks for pregnant\nand breastfeeding women are legal products whose use is regulated by the\nstate.<\/p>\n<p>Nevertheless, these products can only be used as an option for\nspecific nutrition interventions in MBG with stringent technical\ncriteria and medical indications. This is done based on decisions by\nhealth professionals or doctors.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Meaning they are not substitutes for breast milk, not to be\ndistributed freely or mass, not for promotion of the dairy industry, and\nonly provided in particular cases and times in accordance with the\napplicable regulations,\u2019 said Dadan.<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/idai-responds-to-criticism-bgn-chief-says-mbg-program-does-not-distribute-infant-formula-on-a-mass-scale-1779542140",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}