Bangkalan Free Nutritious Meal Task Force Urges Nutrition Service Units to Secure Cook Certifications

Bangkalan (ANTARA) - The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Programme Task Force of Bangkalan Regency, East Java, has requested that Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) immediately process cook certificates issued by the National Professional Certification Agency (BNSP).

“It is important that we convey this, because based on monitoring results, there are still many cooks in Bangkalan Regency who do not possess certificates,” said the Chairman of the Bangkalan MBG Task Force, Bambang Budi Mustika, in Bangkalan on Monday.

He explained that out of a total of 131 MBG kitchens in the region, 44 SPPGs have not yet secured BNSP-licensed cook certificates.

According to him, in accordance with regulations, cooks in MBG kitchens are required to hold such certifications.

“Referring to the National Nutrition Agency regulations, the deadline for fulfilling cook qualifications was 11 September 2026, and we have already exceeded that period; therefore, we request that the SPPGs complete this immediately,” he said. He added that cooks must have at least one year of experience working as a chef.

Consequently, he urged SPPG managers who do not yet have certified cooks to immediately comply with the administrative requirements established by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

“If these prerequisites are not met, the BGN will certainly take firm action, such as suspending the operations of SPKG units that fail to meet the requirements,” he stated.

Bambang Budi Mustika further explained that in addition to providing verbal reminders, his office has also sent formal letters regarding the findings of SPPGs lacking certified cooks.

“We are also coordinating with the BGN in the Bangkalan region regarding these findings, and we are requesting that the BGN provide an opportunity for the SPPGs to complete their compliance promptly,” said Bambang.