BGN Reveals Success of Food Waste and Used Cooking Oil Management at SPPG

Jakarta – The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sony Sanjaya, stated that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme has shifted public mindset regarding food waste management in Indonesia. Although initially concerns were raised about food waste becoming a disposal issue for each Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) or MBG kitchen, the reality has proven otherwise.

“For SPPG, there was initial suspicion that the MBG programme would generate significant food waste. In practice, with nearly 23,000 SPPG operating, there have been no reported problems with food waste accumulation,” Sony said at the Kadin Tower in South Jakarta on Friday, 27 February 2026.

Sony acknowledged that this challenge has been successfully overcome, as food waste returned to SPPG is immediately collected by livestock farmers for animal feed or processed into liquid organic fertiliser. “Alternatively, it can be used for maggot farming, and maggots themselves serve as livestock feed substitute whilst reducing food waste by 30–40 per cent,” he explained.

Beyond food waste, the MBG programme and SPPG operations have also effectively addressed the issue of used cooking oil from meal production. Data indicates that each SPPG generates approximately 500 litres of used cooking oil monthly. Sony claimed that this used cooking oil is now being managed systematically through recycling processes, preventing environmental contamination.

“Previously, there was no consideration of where used oil would go – it would end up in ditches and other places, polluting the environment. With SPPG operations, people have become aware that the 500 litres of used oil produced monthly by each unit represents a genuine economic opportunity,” Sony stated.

“This opens perspectives on how to improve the economy. Given that these units are distributed from Aceh to Papua, from rural villages to metropolitan areas, the MBG programme represents more than simply distributing food – it introduces a new perspective with genuine economic benefits,” he concluded.