BGN temporarily halts operations of three SPPG kitchens in Kaimana

Manokwari (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily halted operations at three Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG) kitchens in Kaimana Regency, West Papua, because the wastewater treatment installations do not meet the applicable standards.

Coordinator of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Programme for the Kaimana Region, Akmal Rahman, confirmed from Manokwari on Friday that the three SPPG kitchens are SPPG Kaimana Kota 1, SPPG Kaimana Kota 3, and SPPG Kaimana 5.

“The wastewater treatment installation (IPAL) does not meet the standards, so BGN has temporarily suspended operations since 1 April 2026 before the school holiday,” Akmal said.

He explained that the temporary suspension of operations at the three SPPG kitchens is BGN’s commitment to ensuring that the MBG Programme adheres to cleanliness and food safety standards.

The managers of the SPPG kitchens are expected to use the school holiday period from 2-6 April 2026 to carry out improvements to the IPAL facilities, so that the distribution of MBG to beneficiary students can proceed as usual.

“We hope that before school resumes, the three SPPG units will meet the IPAL standards. If the kitchen operations are halted, MBG production will also stop,” he stated.

BGN routinely conducts monitoring and evaluation of the MBG Programme implementation, including tightening the application of standard operating procedures (SOP) at each SPPG kitchen to prevent various negative issues.

“Therefore, we hope that the three temporarily suspended SPPG units will quickly repair their IPAL so that MBG distribution does not face obstacles,” he added.

Previously, the BGN Regional Coordinator for West Papua, Erika Vionita Werinussa, stated that the number of MBG programme beneficiaries in Kaimana Regency is recorded at 13,114 people with four SPPG units.

BGN also requires all food handlers at each SPPG kitchen to hold a Hygiene and Sanitation Fitness Certificate (SLHS) issued by the respective regency’s Health Office.