BGN Suspends Nine Nutrition Service Units in Gresik Over Whole Coconut Menu Items

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended nine Nutrition Service Units (SPPG) in Gresik Regency, East Java, which served whole coconuts as part of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG).

Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of BGN for Public Communication and Investigation, expressed regret at the decision made by the SPPG managers, which was deemed to have ignored a similar controversy that had previously drawn public attention.

“The provision of whole coconuts previously attracted public attention in several regions. This should have served as a lesson for all SPPG managers to exercise greater care in determining the menu provided to beneficiaries,” Nanik said in Jakarta on Sunday.

Nanik also firmly rejected the justification presented by the nine SPPG, which claimed that the menu was provided at the request of beneficiaries. According to her, each SPPG remains obligated to follow the established menu standards and operational guidelines set out in the MBG Programme.

“All SPPG must adhere to the menu guidelines and service standards already established. Therefore, we are temporarily halting the operations of the nine SPPG in Gresik that served whole coconuts for an evaluation process,” she said.

Nanik added that the agency had ordered that SPPG heads involved be subject to disciplinary action through written warnings or transfers.

“I have ordered that SPPG heads face strict action with a formal warning (SP 1) or transfer because as leaders they failed to monitor news coverage, allowing similar incidents to recur,” she said.

Meanwhile, Albertus Dony Dewantoro, Director of Monitoring and Oversight for Region II at BGN, stated that as of 14 March 2026, the nine SPPG have ceased temporary operations.

The nine SPPG include SPPG Gresik Sidayu Ngawen; SPPG Gresik Sidayu Wadeng; SPPG Gresik Dukun Wonokerto; SPPG Gresik Dukun Lowayu; and SPPG Gresik Dukun Sembungan Kidul.

Additionally, SPPG Gresik Dukun Tebuwung; SPPG Gresik Ujungpangkah Glatik; SPPG Gresik Balongpanggang Pucung; and SPPG Gresik Sidayu Sidomulyo.

BGN also reminded all SPPG managers across various regions to exercise greater care in implementing the programme, including attention to menu standards, food safety, and sensitivity to issues emerging in the community.