1,512 Free Nutritious Meal Facilities in Java Temporarily Halted; Commission XII Parliament: Serious Action to Improve Management
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended operations of 1,512 nutritional service provision units (SPPG) across Java Island. Yahya Zaini, Vice Chair of Commission IX of Parliament, described this action as a sign of BGN’s seriousness in addressing the issue.
“This firmness demonstrates BGN’s commitment to improving the management of the free nutritious meals programme (MBG) to ensure health, sanitation and food safety standards so that the MBG programme continues,” Yahya told reporters on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
The reasons for the suspension include the lack of Hygiene and Sanitation Fitness Certificates (SLHS), problems with wastewater treatment facilities (IPAL), and the absence of staff accommodation facilities.
“During this temporary suspension period, BGN should give the concerned SPPG an opportunity to improve themselves, complete necessary documentation, and commit to enhancing the quality of good management and governance of the MBG programme, meeting health, sanitation and food safety standards,” he said.
“If necessary, an integrity pact should be established to demonstrate the SPPG’s serious commitment to improving and reforming itself,” he added.
Yahya requested that regarding SLHS processing, provincial and district/municipal health departments should not complicate procedures and bureaucracy. He noted that many SPPG units face difficulties in obtaining SLHS certification.
“Because many complaints have come from kitchens struggling with SLHS procedures, which are very complicated and time-consuming. I ask BGN to coordinate with local governments to facilitate the SLHS certification process,” he said.
Previously, BGN had temporarily suspended operations of 1,512 SPPG in Region II. The temporary suspension was conducted as part of an evaluation of compliance with operational standards and infrastructure requirements.
“We have temporarily suspended operations of 1,512 SPPG; this is being carried out as a follow-up to evaluations of compliance with operational standards and infrastructure requirements at various SPPG facilities,” said Albertus Dony Dewantoro, Director of Monitoring and Oversight for Region II of BGN, to reporters on Wednesday, 11 March.
He stated that this measure was part of efforts to improve the free nutritious meals programme (MBG) services so that all operational facilities meet established health, sanitation, and governance standards.
The 1,512 temporarily suspended SPPG units are distributed across several provinces in Region II, including: DKI Jakarta with 50 units; Banten 62 units; West Java (Jabar) 350 units; Central Java (Jateng) 54 units; East Java (Jatim) 788 units; and DI Yogyakarta 208 units.