BGN Reveals Duplicate Data for Free Nutritious Meals Programme Reaches Around 6 Million People

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has revealed the existence of inaccurate data regarding beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. The statement was made following a limited coordination meeting at the ministerial level concerning the implementation of the MBG programme at the Coordinating Ministry for Food office in Jakarta on Thursday (6/8/2026).

“It is around six million, we are combing through it,” Sudaryono said.

Sudaryono noted that many cases of duplicate data occurred in the MBG programme. He cited the example of junior high school students being registered as beneficiaries by two different institutions, namely the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Sudaryono stated that the coordination meeting provided a solution for synchronising beneficiary data from various related agencies. “We talk to each other so that there are truly no duplicate identities. There must be no duplicates,” he said.

In addition to rectifying the MBG beneficiary data, Sudaryono said the BGN is also ready to operate 1,700 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units in areas with high and very high stunting rates. He mentioned that these service units will also target the 3B group, namely pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

“From the data overlay earlier, there are around 1,700 data points or kitchens that are ready, already built, and just need to be operational in areas with high and very high stunting,” Sudaryono said.