BGN Temporarily Suspends 18 Nutrition Service Units in Tulungagung Over Supplier Monopoly

The National Nutrition Agency has temporarily suspended the operations of 18 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in Tulungagung Regency, East Java, after discovering facilities and infrastructure that did not meet standards, as well as indications of supplier monopolisation. Tulungagung BGN Regional Coordinator Sabrina Mahardika stated on Sunday that the evaluation was carried out to improve food safety standards and the quality of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu. “The results of our evaluation showed that several SPPGs only had three to five suppliers. This is certainly below the minimum requirement of 15 suppliers,” Sabrina said. She explained that the suspended SPPG kitchens were affected by several factors, including facilities and infrastructure that still did not meet standards, extraordinary events such as suspected MBG food poisoning, and even alleged supplier monopolisation. Regarding the alleged supplier monopoly, the BGN has issued a regulation requiring each SPPG to have a minimum of 15 suppliers to avoid benefiting certain parties. However, from the evaluation results, the agency found SPPGs with only three to five suppliers. The duration of the suspension is not fixed but can be lifted once the SPPG has made improvements and met the standards set by the BGN. This means the sooner the improvements are made, the sooner the suspension status can be revoked. The monitoring and evaluation process continues to be carried out routinely, so the number of suspended SPPG kitchens may still change. However, beneficiaries of the suspended SPPGs will be transferred to other kitchens, ensuring that MBG services continue to operate. “If deficiencies in facilities, management, or menu quality are found, they will be reported to the central BGN. Beneficiaries of the suspended SPPGs need not worry as they will be redirected to other SPPGs,” Sabrina said.