BGN Clarifies Misinformation on Mass Distribution of Infant Formula

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA – The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has clarified misconceptions circulating in the public regarding the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, which was falsely reported as distributing infant formula on a large scale. Deputy Head of BGN, Police Inspector General Sony Sonjaya, stated that the information was incorrect and contradicted the government’s principle of exclusive breastfeeding protection. He explained that the MBG programme does not provide infant formula as a nutritional intervention for babies aged 0 to 6 months. ‘There is no infant formula intervention in the MBG programme for infants aged 0-6 months. Therefore, the programme does not offer infant formula at all,’ Sonjaya stated in a statement on Monday (25 May 2026). He noted that the policy aligns with national regulations and international recommendations, including Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health, Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on Health, and WHO guidelines on exclusive breastfeeding protection. Sony added that products such as follow-on formula for 6-12 month olds, growth formula for 12-36 month olds, and special drinks for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are legally regulated products. However, their use within the MBG programme is strictly limited and not distributed freely. ‘These products are not breastmilk substitutes, not for mass distribution, and not for promoting the dairy industry,’ he said. He stressed that such products are only provided under specific conditions based on strict medical indications determined by healthcare professionals or doctors. Therefore, the MBG programme’s primary focus remains on meeting public nutritional needs, protecting exclusive breastfeeding, and ensuring interventions align with medical requirements and on-ground nutritional conditions. Sony also clarified a 2020 BGN Chief Circular No. 10, which had been widely associated with providing milk for toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. He explained that the circular only governed milk provision for students from kindergarten (TK/PAUD) to senior high school (SMA/MA), and thus did not relate to toddlers, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or the ‘3B’ group. Meanwhile, BGN Chief Decree No. 63426.2 of 2026 on Technical Guidelines for Standards, Provision, and Distribution of Milk in the MBG Programme, Sony said, focuses on specifications, nutritional content, and distribution mechanisms for specific groups including non-PAUD toddlers, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. The nutritional intervention policies are still governed by the Technical Guidelines for Food Distribution and Nutrition and Food Safety Education under the MBG Programme for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and non-PAUD toddlers, which are currently being revised by the Ministry of Health, BKKBN, BPOM, and Bappenas. ‘The revision of technical guidelines is being carried out to ensure all regulations remain consistent and prevent public misinterpretation,’ he concluded.