Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development Urges Nutrition Service Units to Avoid Ultra-Processed Foods
Gianyar, Bali — Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development (Wamendukbangga) and Deputy Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) Isyana Bagoes Oka has instructed managers of Nutrition Service Units (Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi, SPPG) not to use processed food products or ultra-processed food (UPF).
“Ultra-processed foods must not be provided to non-early childhood education toddlers, pregnant women and nursing mothers, and we have emphasised this to the SPPG,” said Deputy Minister Isyana Bagoes Oka during an inspection of the Celuk II SPPG kitchen in Celuk Village, Gianyar Regency, Bali, on Monday.
The rationale is that processed foods undergo extensive industrial processing, therefore the provision of nutrition for the free meal programme (MBG), particularly for the target group of pregnant women, nursing mothers and young children (3B), should be fulfilled with fresh food ingredients.
During the visit, he ensured that menus provided to other target groups such as students also meet nutritional standards, including protein from chicken, fruits and vegetables.
Meanwhile, head of SPPG Celuk II, I Gusti Agung Alit Mustika Dwipayana, added that the unit produces 2,719 meal portions daily, prepared by 43 employees.
The MBG programme, he continued, uses natural food ingredients and does not use ultra-processed foods.
“We distribute to two kindergartens, two primary schools, two vocational schools and to the community health centre in Banjar Celuk,” he said.
One of the MBG recipients in the pregnant women category is I Gusti Indah Widiari in Banjar Pagutan Kaja, Batubulan, Sukawati, Gianyar, who is currently expecting her fourth child in the second trimester.
Every week, the 31-year-old homemaker receives two MBG portions since the programme began in early January 2026, with varying menus including fruits, snacks and side dishes.
“I am grateful to the government for providing MBG to pregnant women, and I hope it continues to be beneficial as it has lightened my burden,” she said upon receiving the visit from the deputy minister.
During the visit, in addition to inspecting the SPPG and pregnant women, the deputy minister also inspected the distribution of MBG to young children and nursing mothers in Gianyar Regency, Bali.