BGN: Closure of SPPG Kitchens Will Not Disrupt Free Nutritious Meal Distribution

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has assured that the temporary suspension of 833 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that failed to meet standards will not disrupt the distribution of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to beneficiaries. BGN Head Sudaryono stated in Jakarta on Monday that a redistribution mechanism has been prepared so that recipients previously served by the suspended kitchens will continue to receive their entitlements through other units. “We want to ensure that if a kitchen is suspended, the beneficiaries who were previously served will not lose their rights. We are working to ensure the service can be covered by other kitchens,” he said. According to Sudaryono, the temporary closure of the SPPG is part of efforts to strengthen the governance of the MBG programme and ensure all services meet established food safety standards. The 833 suspended SPPG units are spread across Sumatra, Java and Madura, as well as Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Nusa Tenggara and Papua. Sudaryono stressed that the measure is not intended to reduce programme coverage but to guarantee that every meal served is safe for consumption and meets the BGN’s quality requirements. “This concerns someone’s life, someone’s health. So, units that do not meet the hygiene and sanitation standards we have set must be suspended,” he said. He added that the BGN aims to ensure meals are well prepared, quality standards are maintained, children eat properly, their nutritional needs are met, and the local economy continues to function.