BGN Responds to Claims of Infant Formula Provision Under the MBG Programme

Jakarta - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, said that narratives claiming the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme distributes infant formula on a mass scale need to be corrected. He explained that BGN’s policy actually references the World Health Organization (WHO) principles and national regulations that protect exclusive breastfeeding.

‘For babies aged 0-6 months there is no infant formula intervention in the MBG Programme. Therefore, MBG does not provide any option for infant formula,’ Dadan said in a written statement, Friday (22/5/2026).

That policy, he continued, is in line with Health Law Number 17 of 2023, Regulation Number 28 of 2024 on Health, and WHO recommendations related to protecting exclusive breastfeeding.

Dadan further explained that products such as follow-on formula for babies aged 6-12 months, growth formula for children aged 12-36 months, and beverages specifically for pregnant and lactating women are legal products whose use is regulated by the state.

However, these products can only be used as nutrition intervention options within the MBG Programme with stringent technical criteria and medical indications based on decisions by health professionals or doctors.

‘In other words, they are not substitutes for breastmilk, not for free or mass distribution, not for promotion of the dairy industry, and are only provided in specific cases and at specific times in accordance with applicable regulations,’ he said.

Nevertheless, Dadan emphasised that the MBG Programme’s main focus remains on meeting nutritional needs, protecting exclusive breastfeeding, and ensuring interventions are provided according to medical needs or nutritional conditions on the ground.