BGN Claims There Is No Infant Formula Intervention in MBG
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has claimed that there is no infant formula intervention for babies in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The statement responds to an open letter from the Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI), which urged BGN to halt the use of infant formula for babies in MBG.
For babies aged 0-6 months, there is no infant formula intervention in MBG. Therefore, MBG does not provide any option for infant formula, Dadan said when contacted on Friday, 22 May 2026.
Dadan said the feeding provisions in MBG refer to Health Law No. 17 of 2023, Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on Health, and WHO principles protecting exclusive breastfeeding. Therefore, infant formula intervention in MBG is only provided to babies aged 6-12 months as a continuation formula and to children aged 12-36 months as a growth formula. He noted that the products can only be used as specific nutritional intervention options within MBG with strict medical criteria and indications, based on the recommendation of healthcare workers or doctors.
That is, not a substitute for exclusive breastfeeding, not for distribution free or mass distribution, not for dairy industry promotion, and only given in cases and times in accordance with regulations, he said.
Nevertheless, the BGN does not close the door entirely on the use of infant formula. The Deputy for Systems and Governance Regulation No. 004/05/03/SK.04/02/2025 regarding Technical Guidelines, Standards, Provision, and Distribution of Formula Milk in MBG contains provisions on how formula should be prepared for babies. For example, a requirement to boil drinking water at a temperature of at least 70 degrees Celsius when preparing infant formula powder.
According to Dadan, the technical guidelines were made as a guide for when infant formula must be provided. ‘Only if needed,’ he added.
Furthermore, Dadan said that currently BGN, together with the Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Drug and Food Control (BPOM) and the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) are harmonising several rules regarding provision or nutritional interventions in the MBG. The government will revise several policies so that all rules remain aligned and do not generate misinterpretations in the public.
Previously, IDAI’s Breastfeeding Task Force and the Nutritional Metabolic Diseases Working Group wrote to Dadan and three other BGN leaders. The open letter contained input on the implementation of mass formula distribution in the MBG programme.
The open letter was posted on IDAI’s Instagram account @idai_ig on Thursday, 21 May 2026. According to IDAI, policy on mass distribution of infant formula in MBG risks mothers stopping breastfeeding, especially when implemented without medical examination or indications.
They urged policy improvements in MBG for babies and children. ‘We must not let today’s policy deprive babies and children of something important,’ IDAI said.