BGN Reveals Why SPPG Heads Must Be in the Kitchen from 02.00

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has tightened implementation standards for the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, including regulating the working hours of civil servants (ASN) at Nutrition Service Fulfilment Units (SPPG). Under the rules, SPPG heads are required to be present in the kitchen from 02.00 WIB. BGN Head Sudaryano explained the reasoning behind the policy, stating that SPPG units must be on standby during critical hours because many fatal incidents or cases of food poisoning among beneficiaries have occurred due to SPPG units failing to follow standard operating procedures (SOP) with discipline.

“Some of these findings even involved SPPG heads who were not on site. They are the leaders in the kitchen and must ensure the SOP is followed. We have therefore issued a circular stating that the working hours for ASN and PPPK SPPG heads are the kitchen’s operational hours, from 02.00 to 08.00 in the morning, plus two additional hours in the afternoon when raw materials are received,” he said, as quoted on Saturday, 29 August 2026.

The MBG head stressed that all SPPG heads must implement the MBG Programme SOP, covering storage procedures, wearing gloves while monitoring the cooking and portioning process, and using head coverings to maintain hygiene. He also threatened dishonourable dismissal for SPPG heads who fail to attend the kitchen for ten consecutive days.

“If you are a teacher at a school with PPPK status, you must attend every teaching and learning activity. If you are absent from teaching hours for ten consecutive days at your office without explanation, the sanction is dishonourable dismissal,” he said.

In addition to ensuring SPPG heads are present during critical hours, BGN has also implemented a layered monitoring system, under which all central BGN staff and coordinators at the sub-district level must attend virtual meetings during critical SPPG operational hours.

“Simply assigning working hours is not enough, so we carry out monitoring during those critical hours. The Head of the Agency, the Deputy Head, coordinators at the sub-district level, including kitchen heads, all join Zoom during those critical hours. Backgrounds are not allowed, so it is clear whether someone is in the kitchen or in their bedroom. Those who do not attend receive a warning,” he said.