BRIN Emphasises Maximum Oversight at Key Points in MBG Programme
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Researcher from the Centre for Public Health and Nutrition Research at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Dede Anwar Musadad, has emphasised the need for maximum oversight at several critical points in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme to prevent unwanted incidents.
“The MBG programme is a national priority, so its implementation must be closely monitored to avoid health problems,” he said in a statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He also urged improvements in human resource capacity and the standardisation of facilities to mitigate risks.
Dede assessed that these two points fall within the critical aspects of food management at every stage, which must be strictly controlled to prevent health risks.
“Strengthening the competence of environmental sanitation personnel and standardising food processing facilities are important steps to ensure the MBG programme runs safely and sustainably,” he stated.
Dede explained that food safety has a strong legal basis in national regulations, including the Food Law. These regulations emphasise the importance of safe, hygienic, quality, and nutritious food.
He stressed the importance of comprehensive sanitation application across the entire food processing chain. According to him, every involved party has a responsibility to control risks.
The complexity of the MBG programme, which reaches tens of millions of beneficiaries, he continued, must be a key concern for relevant stakeholders, as the large scale and long distribution chain increase the potential for contamination.
“Large-scale food production with lengthy processes increases the potential for contamination, especially since the target groups, such as schoolchildren, are vulnerable,” said Dede.
Dede reminded that operational standards in programme implementation must be uniform from upstream to downstream in every region. Indeed, food poisoning cases can be prevented.
“Food poisoning is a serious concern because it affects public health and should be preventable,” stated Dede Anwar Musadad.