BGN Chief: SOP Compliance Key to Food Safety in Free Nutritious Meals Programme

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono has said that compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) across all Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG) is the key to food safety in the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).

The measure is a follow-up to the evaluation of a number of food safety incidents that occurred during the programme’s implementation.

Sudaryono assured that reports of suspected poisoning are always followed up through the temporary suspension of operations of the relevant SPPG, testing of food samples, and investigations to determine the cause.

“In every incident, the kitchen is suspended, then the food is checked in the laboratory by the Health Office under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. We will find out, then we remove the head of the SPPG, and we investigate what caused the poisoning,” Sudaryono said at a press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.

Therefore, BGN applies a zero-tolerance principle towards every case of poisoning and continues to take various corrective measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring.

Based on the evaluation conducted, he said, BGN found several forms of non-compliance with the SOP, one of which was food processing being carried out much earlier than the specified time.

He stressed that discipline and compliance with the SOP are key to maintaining food quality and safety. Therefore, BGN will tighten supervision of all SPPG operational processes.

If an element of intent is found, BGN will hand over the handling to the relevant authorities for examination.

“This is a matter of discipline. Now, we are looking for a formula. If there are indeed other elements, for example an element of intent, sabotage, and so on, we will not hesitate to have it examined by the police, and if it does exist, we will hand everything over,” Sudaryono said.