1,512 Free Nutritious Meal Programme Service Units Temporarily Halted as UI Examines MBG Impact
Jakarta — Several notable news items captured readers’ attention on Wednesday (11 March), ranging from the National Nutrition Agency’s temporary suspension of 1,512 nutritional service units across Java to the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences investigating the impact of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme on household economic dynamics.
National Nutrition Agency Suspends 1,512 Nutritional Service Units Across Java
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended operations of 1,512 Nutritional Service Units (SPPG) in Region II (Java) as a follow-up to an evaluation of operational standard compliance and infrastructure adequacy.
Albertus Dony Dewantoro, Director of Monitoring and Supervision for Region II at BGN, stated that the measure constitutes part of efforts to reorganise the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) service to ensure all operational facilities meet established health, sanitation, and governance standards.
BPOM: Unauthorised Food Products Predominantly from Malaysian and Singaporean Imports
The Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) has revealed that non-compliant or unsuitable imported processed food products in Indonesia predominantly originate from Malaysia and Singapore.
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar, at a press conference on Food Supervision ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, stated that based on intensified food supervision results during the period, unauthorised imported food products comprised 70.4 per cent from Malaysia and 11.3 per cent from Singapore, followed by China at 10.4 per cent and Thailand at 2.2 per cent.
BKSDA Bali Temporarily Closes Four Nature Tourism Areas During Nyepi 2026
The Bali Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) temporarily closed three nature tourism park areas from 18-20 March 2026 to honour the observance of Nyepi, the Balinese New Year in the Saka calendar (1948).
“The areas will reopen on Saturday, 21 March at 09.00 WITA,” said Bali BKSDA Head Ratna Hendratmoko in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday.
University of Indonesia Faculty Research Examines Free Nutritious Meal Programme’s Impact on Household Economy
Researchers from the Department of Social Welfare Science at the University of Indonesia’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences presented research findings indicating that the Free Nutritious Meal Programme promotes household income and reduces expenditure.
The research, led by Professor Fentiny Nugroho, Chair of Social Welfare Science at FISIP UI, comprised a research team consisting of Dr Annisah, Dr Anna Sakreti Nawangsari, Dr Arif Wibowo, and Shinta Tris Irawati M.Kesos.
BPOM Withdraws 56,027 Non-Compliant Food Products
A total of 56,027 processed food products were successfully withdrawn from circulation across various regions to prevent public health risks, resulting from intensified food supervision ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri/2026 by the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM).
BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar, at the press conference on Food Supervision ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2026 in Jakarta on Wednesday, stated that the tens of thousands of non-compliant food products identified during supervision comprised 27,407 unauthorised products, 23,776 expired products, and 4,844 damaged products.