Head of National Nutrition Board Evaluates Free Nutritious Meals Menu for Ramadan, Promises Quality Standards Maintained
The head of the National Nutrition Board (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme continues to operate according to standards throughout Ramadan. He stressed that nutritional intervention must not experience quality reduction simply because of meal time adjustments.
BGN is a new institution with a specific mandate to conduct national nutrition fulfilment interventions. The President has given considerable attention to this issue, particularly in ensuring the quality of child development from the first 1,000 days of life through the second critical phase at ages 8–18 years.
Currently, the MBG programme targets approximately 82.9 million beneficiaries, ranging from pregnant women, infants, and schoolchildren to Islamic boarding school students. The government projects that the productive-age population will reach 324 million by 2040. Without appropriate nutritional intervention, the next generation is feared to face serious challenges in health and intellectual aspects.
Dadan affirmed that nutritional adequacy levels in the Ramadan menu must remain the same as on regular days. “Nutritionists calculate the nutritional content. It cannot be reduced simply because of Ramadan,” he said following a visit to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) on Saturday, 28 February 2026 in Cibuluh, Bogor, West Java.
Adjustments are made to the form and presentation, not the nutritional content. Menus are designed based on local resources and local wisdom to be more relevant to the needs of the local community.
Local Wisdom Strengthened, Quality Maintained
In West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), for example, MBG partners have introduced sweet potato-based pudding as a nutritious local food alternative. This step is considered aligned with efforts to strengthen food security whilst empowering local commodities.
However, BGN reminds that the quality of ingredients must be maintained. If fruit received is in poor condition, partners are requested not to force delivery. “It is better to provide it later than to send it in unsuitable condition,” said Dadan.
Menu composition adjustments are also permitted as long as nutritional value is maintained. For example, replacing beans whose prices have surged with two eggs to ensure adequate protein.
Beyond nutritional content, presentation and hygiene aspects also receive attention. BGN requests that partners no longer use plastic bags and switch to box packaging that is more appropriate and hygienic.
According to Dadan, good presentation is not merely a matter of aesthetics, but part of educating healthy and dignified eating patterns for young people. “This programme is not simply about feeding people, but building the quality of Indonesian humanity towards 2040,” he affirmed.
Through regular evaluation, BGN ensures MBG remains a strategic government instrument in preparing an excellent generation, including during the holy month of Ramadan.