Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 The National Nutrition Board (BGN) has temporarily\nsuspended the operations of two Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in South\nSulawesi that have repeatedly delayed the delivery of free nutritious\nmeals, with some deliveries occurring late in the evening and drawing\npublic attention on social media.<\/p>\n
Deputy Head of BGN Nanik Sudaryati Deyang stated that the two meal\nservice kitchens affected by the temporary suspension are SPPG Makassar\nCity Biringkanaya Sudiang 2 and SPPG Pangkajene and Kepulauan Bungoro\nSamalewa 1.<\/p>\n
\u201cDistribution delays extending into the evening cannot be repeated as\nthey risk compromising the quality of the programme\u2019s service to student\nbeneficiaries. We are taking decisive action by temporarily suspending\nthe operations of the affected SPPG units to conduct a comprehensive\nevaluation of distribution management, raw material handling, and\noperational readiness in the field,\u201d she said in Jakarta on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The temporary suspension of both units\u2019 operations is effective from\n16 March 2026 until a to-be-determined date pending the results of\nfurther investigation. The action was taken after BGN received\ncomplaints and conducted an initial investigation into alleged\nnegligence in quality control processes and operational preparedness for\ndistribution in the field.<\/p>\n
Monitoring results revealed that raw material preparation and\npackaging processes were not being executed according to standard\noperating procedures, resulting in delays in distributing free meal\npackages to beneficiary schools. In one incident, distribution was only\ncompleted in the evening.<\/p>\n
BGN views any disruption to the free meal programme seriously, as it\nconcerns direct service provision to beneficiaries at schools.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitial findings show that quality control processes and\ndistribution preparations have not been implemented optimally, resulting\nin delayed delivery of free meal packages to beneficiaries,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The incident gained public attention after a video of complaints\nabout delayed distribution of free meal packages was uploaded to social\nmedia and went viral. In one instance, schools were unable to receive\nmeal packages on the scheduled day because distribution occurred after\nthe school gates had closed.<\/p>\n
BGN has ensured that meal packages not distributed on the day of the\nincident are not redistributed in conditions that could compromise\nquality. Instead, distribution has been rescheduled for the following\nday with replacement food items deemed unsuitable for use removed,\nwhilst implementing guidance and evaluation of SPPG management to\nprevent similar incidents.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/national-nutrition-board-suspends-two-nutrition-service-units-in-south-sulawesi-over-delayed-free-meal-1773575509", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }