BGN Clarifies Catfish and Marinated Soy Products Menu in Pamekasan School Feeding Programme
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has issued clarification regarding a viral video showing marinated catfish and soy products in the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) at a school in Pamekasan Regency, East Java, on Monday (9 March). The video was criticised for showing only a partial menu, creating an incomplete perception of the food prepared by the Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) of Pamekasan Pademawu Buddagan.
BGN Deputy Head, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, explained that based on field reports, the meal package prepared by SPPG actually consists of several menu components, including marinated catfish, pressed tofu and tempeh, pizza bread, boiled eggs, full-cream milk, and dragon fruit.
“Based on the reports we received, the menu prepared by SPPG is actually complete. However, in the circulating video, only a partial menu is visible because the school refused to remove the meal package from the distribution vehicle,” said Nanik in Jakarta on Tuesday (10 March).
BGN affirmed that every menu in the MBG programme is developed with consideration for nutritional balance and food safety standards. Consequently, every report or controversy in the field will be followed up through coordination and evaluation to ensure that services to beneficiaries remain optimal.
“The MBG programme prioritises food safety and nutritional quality. We continue to monitor and evaluate to ensure that the entire process from food preparation to distribution complies with established standards,” said Nanik.
Meanwhile, Nutrition Expert from SPPG Pamekasan Pademawu Buddagan, Fikri Kuttawakil, explained that the use of marinated catfish in the MBG menu was based on nutritional and food security considerations.
“We use marinated catfish firstly to prevent nutrient loss in the catfish and to boost protein intake for that day. When marinated, catfish can also remain fresh for up to one day,” explained Fikri.
SPPG Pamekasan Pademawu Buddagan is known to serve a total of 3,329 beneficiaries, consisting of senior secondary, junior secondary, and early childhood students, special education students, educators, and groups of pregnant women, nursing mothers, and young children in the region.