{
    "success": true,
    "data": {
        "id": 1580757,
        "msgid": "sppgs-warned-against-using-ultra-processed-food-in-free-meal-programme-1772434867",
        "date": "2026-03-02 13:32:25",
        "title": "SPPGs warned against using ultra-processed food in free meal programme",
        "author": "",
        "source": "ANTARA_EN",
        "tags": "",
        "topic": "Social Policy",
        "summary": "Indonesian authorities have warned community kitchens (SPPGs) implementing the government's free meal programme (MBG) not to use ultra-processed foods, particularly for vulnerable groups including toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is intensifying oversight of food quality and safety, having suspended 47 SPPGs for failing to meet nutritional standards, whilst expanding the programme to cover 82.",
        "content": "<p>\u201cUPF must not be given to toddlers, pregnant women, or breastfeeding\nmothers. We have emphasized this to the SPPGs,\u201d she said during a visit\nto the Celuk II SPPG kitchen in Celuk Village, Gianyar, Bali, on\nMonday.<\/p>\n<p>Due to concerns over the extensive industrial processing of UPF, the\nnutritional needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers\n- known as the 3B group - are expected to be met using fresh food\ningredients.<\/p>\n<p>During her visit, she ensured that the meals provided to other target\ngroups, such as students, also met nutritional requirements, including\nprotein from chicken, as well as fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the Head of Celuk II SPPG, I Gusti Agung Alit Mustika\nDwipayana, added that his team produces 2,719 meal portions daily,\nprepared by a staff of 43 people.<\/p>\n<p>He asserted that the meals are prepared using natural ingredients and\nno UPF.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe distribute the meals to two kindergartens, two elementary\nschools, two vocational high schools, and the Banjar Celuk Integrated\nHealth Post,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Targeting 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, the MBG program was\nlaunched by the Indonesian government on January 6, 2025, aimed at\nimproving the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women,\nbreastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school\nlevel.<\/p>\n<p>The government is planning to expand the program to cover older\nadults and people with disabilities this year.<\/p>\n<p>As an agency tasked with implementing MBG, the National Nutrition\nAgency (BGN) is strengthening its supervision of the program\u2019s food\nquality and safety.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, the BGN has temporarily suspended the operations of 47\nSPPGs over repeated findings of failure to meet food quality standards,\nincluding moldy bread, rotten fruit, spoiled side dishes, and raw or\nrotten eggs.<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BGN suspends 47 free meals kitchens over substandard\nfood quality<\/p>\n<p>Related news: BGN mandates supplier diversification for free meals\nprogram<\/p>\n<p>Translator: Dewa Ketut, Raka Adji<\/p>",
        "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sppgs-warned-against-using-ultra-processed-food-in-free-meal-programme-1772434867",
        "image": ""
    },
    "sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
    "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}