BGN to Require Expiry Time Labels on Free Meal Containers Starting Next Week

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) will require every ‘ompreng’ or food container in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme to display a consumption time limit. The policy will take effect next week as part of efforts to strengthen food safety in the implementation of MBG in schools.

BGN Chief Sudaryono, familiarly known as Mas Dar, explained that the consumption time limit information will serve as a marker for teachers and students to ensure food is consumed in a safe condition.

‘Additionally, starting next week, we will enforce the requirement to write on every ompreng a sign or warning that it must be consumed before a certain time. So, the role of teachers here is very important,’ he said during an online coordination meeting on MBG governance and implementation in schools with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, quoted Sunday.

He requested that teachers ensure food is not consumed if it has passed the time limit stated on the container. The prohibition applies to both teachers and students.

‘If the time indicated on the ompreng has passed, I request that it not be consumed. Teachers must not consume it, and especially not the students, if the time limit has been exceeded,’ he stressed.

According to him, MBG meals have a safe consumption window because they contain no preservatives and are prepared as fresh food. He explained that generally, MBG meals must be consumed within a maximum of four hours after cooking. Therefore, there is a specific time limit or ‘window’ to ensure the food remains safe for consumption.

‘In accordance with normal food serving standards, after cooking it must be eaten within a maximum of four hours because this food contains no preservatives. It is genuinely cooked without ultra-processed ingredients, so it is fresh and has a window during which it is safe to consume,’ he clarified.