BGN Clarifies Information on MBG Milk Sold in Minimarkets

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has provided clarification regarding information about milk from the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) being sold in minimarkets, which has become a hot topic on social media.

Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana, when met by the media after a coordination meeting with the Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, in Jakarta on Thursday, emphasised that his agency has never made a contract or committed to any producer regarding the buying and selling of MBG milk products.

Dadan stated that based on the applicable standard operating procedure (SOP), all Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) are required to purchase MBG milk for beneficiaries from minimarkets or local UMKM to empower local farmers.

“All SPPG purchase from supermarkets or UMKM; we do not, for example, designate a specific producer for us to buy from. Perhaps there are producers trying to make their products sell, and then they are sold on the market,” he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Head of BGN, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, when met at the same location, emphasised that BGN has never produced milk in any form, let alone under the name of the MBG Programme.

“We in MBG have never owned or made milk, no, never. BGN has never made milk,” said Nanik.

Therefore, Nanik requested that the public who find milk products or others in minimarkets or anywhere claiming to be from BGN or the MBG Programme immediately report to the BGN call centre or complaint service at number 127.

Previously, netizens widely discussed products called “school milk” claimed to be exclusively for the MBG programme being sold in minimarkets. Netizens shared photos of the products sold in minimarkets, even though they bore the label “Free Milk Programme MBG, not for sale”. The 125 ml packaged milk was observed to be sold for around Rp4,000 per package or Rp138,000 per carton.