BGN suspends 717 nutrition service units in Eastern Indonesia lacking hygiene certification
Jakarta — The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended 717 Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in Region III (Eastern Indonesia) that have not yet registered for Hygiene and Sanitation Certification (SLHS).
Rudi Setiawan, Director of Monitoring and Oversight for Region III at BGN, affirmed that SLHS certification is an essential requirement to ensure SPPG units meet hygiene and food safety standards for beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).
“SPPG units that have not registered for SLHS will remain temporarily suspended until this obligation is fulfilled. This is not merely punitive but rather a measure to ensure that all food provision processes meet the established standards,” said Rudi in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to BGN Region III monitoring data, of the 4,219 registered SPPG units, 2,138 kitchens already possess SLHS certification, 1,364 kitchens are in the registration process, whilst 717 kitchens have not submitted applications at all.
The unregistered SPPG units are scattered across several provinces, including West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, West Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, Maluku, and several areas in Papua.
According to Rudi, SLHS certification serves as an important instrument for maintaining the quality of food distributed to millions of programme beneficiaries. With this certification, kitchen operations can be verified to have undergone sanitation fitness inspections by local health authorities.
BGN also noted that the majority of SPPG units have demonstrated commitment to meeting these standards. This is evident from the substantial number of kitchens that already possess SLHS certification or are currently in the registration process.
“We encourage all SPPG operators who have not yet registered to immediately apply for SLHS through their local health departments. Once the registration process is initiated, we will monitor until the certificate is issued so that operations can proceed according to standards,” said Rudi.