BGN Establishes MBG Distribution Scheme During Eid Holiday
THE National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has stated that the free nutritious meals (MBG) program will continue to be provided during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and joint leave period of 1447 Hijriyah. However, BGN has regulated the distribution mechanism in Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026.
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana said MBG menus will not be distributed to all target beneficiaries, both students and non-students, from 18-24 March 2026 due to the Eid holiday and joint leave. However, Dadan said MBG packages will still be provided—only the distribution will be carried out earlier.
“Distribution will be conducted on the last distribution day prior, which is Tuesday, 17 March 2026, consisting of one healthy packaged food set plus three bundled healthy packages for the MBG allocation from Wednesday, 18 March 2026 through Friday, 20 March 2026,” said Dadan, as quoted in his written statement on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Dadan explained that bundled packages are a combination of MBG healthy packaged food sets for several days’ consumption delivered all at once. However, BGN emphasized that the maximum shelf life of the food received is only three days.
“And it is affirmed that the packages are exclusively for MBG target beneficiaries,” said Dadan.
Previously, BGN ensured that this national nutrition fulfillment program will continue to operate during Ramadan, the Eid holiday and joint leave, and the Lunar New Year. For vulnerable groups—namely pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers aged 6-59 months—MBG services will continue in full throughout these periods.
Meanwhile, in areas where the majority of beneficiaries do not observe the fast, MBG distribution will follow the normal schedule as on regular days with ready-to-eat menus.
During the joint leave and Lunar New Year holiday on 16-17 February 2026, no MBG distribution will take place. Likewise, at the start of Ramadan from 18-22 February, the provision of nutritious meals will also be temporarily halted. Dadan said MBG distribution will resume on 23 February 2026.
BGN has also prohibited Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG) from providing ultra-processed food (UPF). The ban is set out in Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026. During the Ramadan period, beneficiaries will receive MBG menus in healthy packages that do not use manufactured UPF products. UPF refers to food produced through a series of industrial processes using additives such as preservatives, colorings, and flavorings. The primary purpose of ultra-processed food is to create products that are ready to eat, long-lasting, and easy to serve.
“The recommended menu for packaged foods includes salted eggs, meat floss, dried jerky, fruit, or other local specialty foods, as well as dates (optional), while still maintaining food safety, food quality, and nutritional standards according to the age group of beneficiaries,” said Dadan.
Dadan also requested that kitchens not serve food that spoils quickly, has a spicy flavor, or has the potential to cause food safety incidents.
As for the distribution scheme, each beneficiary will receive two tote bags of different colors to facilitate identification and the exchange process.
“The SPPG will provide two tote bags for each beneficiary in different colors—for example, blue and red—so they can distinguish between the tote bag previously used and the tote bag to be exchanged the following day,” said Dadan.