BGN Bans UPF and Spicy Products from MBG During Ramadan
The National Nutrition Agency has prohibited nutrition service fulfillment units from providing ultra-processed food (UPF) for the free nutritious meals (MBG) menu during Ramadan. The ban is set out in Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026, which governs the implementation mechanism for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program during the month of Ramadan, the joint Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriyah holiday, and the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday.
The circular states that during the Ramadan period, beneficiaries will receive MBG menus in healthy packaging that does not use manufactured UPF products. UPF refers to food produced through a series of industrial processes using additives such as preservatives, colorings, and flavorings. The primary purpose of ultra-processed food is to create products that are ready to eat, long-lasting, and easy to serve.
“The recommended menu for packaged foods includes salted eggs, meat floss, dried jerky, fruit, or other local specialty foods, as well as dates (optional), while still maintaining food safety, food quality, and nutritional standards according to the age group of beneficiaries,” said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana in his written statement on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Dadan also requested that MBG kitchens not serve food that spoils quickly, has a spicy flavor, or has the potential to cause food safety incidents.
As for the distribution scheme, each beneficiary will receive two tote bags of different colors to facilitate identification and the exchange process.
“The nutrition service fulfillment units will provide two tote bags for each beneficiary in different colors—for example, blue and red—so they can distinguish between the tote bag previously used and the tote bag to be exchanged the following day,” said Dadan.
Dadan said free nutritious meals will not be distributed during Eid and the joint Eid holiday from 18-24 March 2026 for all target beneficiaries, both students and non-students. As a substitute, distribution will be carried out earlier using healthy bundled packaging. Bundled packages combine several days’ worth of MBG healthy packaged meals delivered all at once. However, Dadan emphasized that the maximum shelf life of the food received is only three days.