A member of the House of Representatives (DPR) Commission IX has\nvoiced support for the National Nutrition Agency\u2019s (BGN) directive\nbarring Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) from using subsidised goods such\nas MinyaKita cooking oil, 3 kg LPG canisters, and SPHP rice in the Free\nNutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The legislator from the National\nMandate Party (PAN), Ashabul Kahfi, emphasised that the policy must not\nlead to a reduction in meal quality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see this BGN policy as a step in the right direction and it\ndeserves support. SPPG should not use MinyaKita, 3 kg LPG, or SPHP rice\nbecause these commodities are intended to maintain the purchasing power\nof the public, particularly low-income groups,\u201d Ashabul Kahfi told\nreporters on Wednesday (29\/7\/2026).<\/p>\n
He argued that the MBG programme, which already has a dedicated\ngovernment budget allocation, should not absorb subsidised goods or\nprice-stabilised commodities. He noted that this is crucial to prevent\ndouble subsidies. \u201cThe MBG programme, whose budget has been provided by\nthe government, must not end up absorbing subsidised goods or\nprice-stabilised commodities. The food and energy needs for MBG kitchens\nshould already be factored into the SPPG\u2019s operational costs,\u201d he\nstated.<\/p>\n
However, Ashabul assessed that the ban must be accompanied by clear\ntechnical guidelines. He urged the BGN to specify the types of\nprohibited goods, oversight mechanisms, and sanctions for SPPGs that\nviolate the rules. \u201cThe BGN needs to immediately create clear technical\nguidelines, covering the types of prohibited goods, monitoring\nmechanisms, a transition period, and sanctions for SPPGs that breach the\nrules, so that implementation is uniform across all regions,\u201d he\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, he requested that the BGN ensure the policy does not\nincrease production costs, particularly warning against a decline in\nfood quality or portion sizes. \u201cPrice differences between regions must\nalso be considered. The price of food ingredients in Java is certainly\ndifferent from Sulawesi, Maluku, Papua, or other archipelagic areas.\nTherefore, cost standards must be realistic and adapted to local\nconditions,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also encourage SPPGs to source more local ingredients from\nfarmers, fishers, livestock breeders, cooperatives, and local MSMEs.\nHowever, the procurement process must be transparent, quality must be\nguaranteed, and prices must remain fair,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Ashabul also responded to the BGN\u2019s plan to create a system allowing\nparents to monitor the implementation of the MBG programme. He assessed\nthe move as positive because it could increase transparency. \u201cBut the\nsystem should not just display a photo of the menu. It must include\ninformation on food composition, nutritional values, allergens,\nproduction and distribution times, kitchen feasibility status, and an\neasy-to-use complaint channel,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He added that public complaints must be followed up within a clear\ndeadline. He reminded that if parents report an issue, it must be\naddressed. \u201cFurthermore, the protection of children\u2019s personal data must\nbe a priority. The digital system must not excessively expose a child\u2019s\nidentity, location, or health data,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Previously, BGN Head Sudaryono had warned all SPPG managers,\nprohibiting MBG kitchens from using subsidised goods such as MinyaKita,\n3 kg LPG canisters, and SPHP rice. \u201cIt is not allowed. You cannot cook\nfor MBG using MinyaKita, you cannot use 3 kg gas canisters, and you\ncannot use our SPHP rice. It is not allowed,\u201d Sudaryono said during a\npress conference at the BGN office in Central Jakarta on Monday\n(27\/7).<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislator-backs-ban-on-subsidised-goods-for-free-meals-demands-quality-assurance-1785318996", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }