Head of the National Nutrition Agency Asks Nutrition Service Units to Purchase Food Vacuum Sealing Machines
The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has instructed partners of nutrition service units (SPPG) to begin purchasing food vacuum sealing machines. According to Dadan, these machines can be used to package free nutritious meals (MBG) that require airtight plastic packaging.
Dadan stated that food vacuum sealers can make food more durable, hygienic, and remain safe for consumption during distribution. He added that this step is part of strengthening food safety standards in the implementation of MBG during Ramadan.
On one hand, Dadan instructed that the packaging of Ramadan MBG should avoid simple plastic packaging. He requested that SPPG provide more representative containers or packaging for MBG. “This can maintain the quality of the food until it is received by the beneficiaries,” he said in a written statement on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
Dadan also highlighted the composition of food ingredients to ensure they comply with the established raw material budget. In the discussion, it was mentioned that nuts are relatively more expensive than eggs, while eggs are considered to have a better protein image and are more easily accepted by the public. Therefore, partners are asked to adjust the menu composition by replacing nuts with eggs without reducing the nutritional value.
He ensures that each SPPG prepares a detailed explanation regarding the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) and the price of each food ingredient in each menu. It was mentioned that the budget for raw materials for toddlers up to 3rd-grade elementary school students is IDR 8,000, while for other groups it is IDR 10,000. This basic benchmark may vary depending on the regional cost of living index and is cost-based, so it needs to be explained openly to the public.
The BGN also reminded partners not to force the use of raw materials that are already in poor condition. If ingredients are found to be unsuitable, distribution can be postponed and informed to be replaced the next day. This policy is taken to ensure that the safety and health of beneficiaries remain the top priority.
“We do not want to compromise on quality. The principle is simple: food must be safe, nutritious, and within budget. If there are ingredients that are not suitable, it is better to replace them than to force them. This is our responsibility to the community,” he said.