BPOM Allocated Rp 509 Billion to Oversee Free Nutritious Meal Programme

The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) will oversee the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme. The budget approved by the House of Representatives (DPR) for this supervisory role amounts to Rp 509 billion.

This was stated by the Head of BPOM, Taruna Ikrar, following a hearing with Commission IX to discuss the budget on Thursday (17/09/2026). Taruna noted that the initial budget proposed was Rp 1.2 trillion.

“To clarify, the Rp 509 billion budget is what was actually proposed by BPOM. As I recall, the proposal was for Rp 1.2 trillion specifically for overseeing the free nutritious meals. However, ultimately, Rp 509 billion was approved,” Taruna said at the parliamentary complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Thursday (17/09).

Taruna mentioned that this amount is separate from BPOM’s other operational budgets. Regarding the supervision of the MBG, he explained that it is already part of BPOG’s core duties.

“One of BPOM’s main tasks is, of course, ensuring food safety. And food safety oversight, which is one of the President’s priority programmes, includes the free nutritious meals programme,” he stated.

BPOM’s technical supervision will involve taking samples from areas prone to food poisoning. Furthermore, if food poisoning cases occur, BPOM will carry out mitigation efforts.

“Our hope is that there will be no extraordinary incidents, such as food poisoning among our children. Secondly, if it does occur, we can quickly trace the cause to implement mitigation so that it does not happen again,” he added.