Coordinating Minister Zulhas: Schools Can Complain if MBG Menu is Inappropriate

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) said that schools can complain to the Food Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) if the nutritious school meal (MBG) menu is not appropriate. “If the food delivered does not meet the standards, the school principal can complain. Once, twice, three times, the SPPG can be closed,” he said during his inspection of MAN 2 and SMAN 1 in Probolinggo City, East Java, on Friday. The visit was conducted to directly review the implementation of the MBG programme and ensure the quality of food received by students meets nutritional standards and is fit for consumption, thus checking the MBG menu served to students at the school. He stated that the school has full rights to reject food if it does not meet the established standards, so the quality of food in the MBG programme must be well maintained because it directly relates to fulfilling children’s nutrition. He also asked all food service providers or SPPG to be disciplined in maintaining quality, cleanliness, and food safety in accordance with the established provisions. According to him, the more appropriate step is to directly inform the SPPG so that evaluations can be carried out immediately, leading to improvements in serving the MBG menu. On that occasion, Zulhas explained that he received direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to regularly visit regions to ensure various government programmes run optimally. “I was directed by the President to travel to regions three days a week. Yesterday from Semarang, today Probolinggo and Pasuruan, tomorrow to Palembang and Balikpapan,” he said. Besides the MBG programme, the Coordinating Minister for Food’s visit agenda also includes checking fertiliser availability, rice prices, irrigation conditions, and ensuring students feel comfortable and happy with the provided food. “Every school has been equipped with standard operating procedures (SOP) for handling food. If indications of unfit food are found, the school can directly reject it,” he said. During the working visit, Zulhas also checked the management of waste from the food provider’s kitchen to ensure it is safe for the surrounding environment, and organic waste can also be utilised.