Free Nutritious Meal Menu Criticised by Pandji Pragiwaksono; Mojosongo Nutrition Management Unit Responds
The head of the Satuan Pengelola Pemenuhan Gizi (SPPG—Nutrition Fulfilment Management Unit) at Mojosongo, Herdi, has spoken out following controversy surrounding a Free Nutritious Meal (Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG) menu that went viral after receiving criticism from comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono and a formal reprimand from Solo City Mayor Respati Ardi.
Herdi stated that the SPPG Mojosongo has conducted an evaluation of the incident. He said the menu that Pragiwaksono critiqued would serve as a learning opportunity. The viral menu comprised plantain, fish and chips, and crystal guava.
“Evaluations are ongoing. This incident serves as a lesson for us to exercise greater care in the menu design process alongside the nutrition supervisor, finance team, partners, and foundation, whilst also listening to feedback from beneficiaries,” Herdi told detikJateng on Sunday (15 March).
Herdi stated that the unit remains committed to continuous improvement and refinement of the meals provided.
“We are committed to ongoing improvement and refinement so that our services will be better in future and such incidents do not recur,” he said.
He acknowledged being uncertain of the exact date the menu was distributed to students, though he suspected it occurred between 11–12 March 2026.
“For details, we are unsure of the exact date—it was likely Wednesday or Thursday, 11 or 12 March,” he stated.
The unit noted that the SPPG last operated on 13 March 2026, which he said aligned with the school calendar.
“We ceased operations on 13 March—not because of yesterday’s incident—because we follow the school’s education calendar,” he concluded.
Comedian Pandji criticised the MBG menu at SPPG Mojosongo on his Threads account, posting a photograph of the meals. The image showed food vacuum-sealed in plastic: plantain, fish and chips, and crystal guava. Pragiwaksono accompanied the post with a single word.
“Bro,” Pandji wrote.
Solo City Mayor Respati Ardi responded promptly to Pragiwaksono’s post.
“Good evening, sir. The SPPG has received special attention from the Surakarta MBG task force, and we apologise for any inconvenience,” Respati replied via his account @respatiardi.
Beyond responding online, Respati visited SPPG Mojosongo directly and issued a formal reprimand. He also requested the unit submit a written statement of commitment.
“We have reprimanded and will monitor them, and I have requested they produce a statement committing not to repeat this so that the Badan Gizi Nasional (National Nutrition Board) as the policy authority can properly oversee the programme,” Respati said when reached at SPPG Mojosongo on Friday (13 March).