Ibas Urges Strengthening of Quality and Governance in Free Nutritious Meal Programme During Maospati Visit
Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, Vice Chairman of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR) of the Republic of Indonesia, continued his Ramadan 2026 recess agenda by visiting the Nutrition Service Unit (SPPG) in Suratmajan Village, Maospati District, Magetan Regency, on Friday, 27 February 2026.
The visit aimed to ensure the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme operated optimally throughout Ramadan whilst continuing to improve its field execution.
During the inspection, Ibas directly observed the operational processes of the kitchen, from raw material receipt, food preparation, through to distribution to beneficiaries. He emphasised that the success of the MBG programme should not be measured solely by the quantity of food distributed, but also by the quality of governance and consistency of service standards.
“I want to ensure that the operational and working mechanisms of the SPPG function properly. Everything must be clean, hygienic, and comply with established operational standards,” Ibas stated firmly.
He maintained that strengthening the working system was a crucial factor for the large-scale national MBG programme to operate sustainably. He assessed that clear standard procedures, multi-layered supervision, and discipline among field implementers required continuous improvement and refinement as the programme expanded.
The initial stage of food preparation, he continued, was a critical point in maintaining service quality. Ibas reminded officials to immediately sort out and exclude foodstuffs that failed to meet freshness standards from production processes.
“I do not want food that is not fresh or potentially poses health risks. If unsuitable ingredients are found, they must be immediately returned. This concerns the health of our children,” he stated.
Beyond hygiene considerations, Ibas also highlighted the important role of nutritionists in ensuring every meal truly met the nutritional requirements of beneficiaries. He asserted that the MBG programme must continuously maintain its nutritional quality so that programme benefits could be genuinely felt over the long term.
“This programme is not merely about distributing food. Composition, portion size, nutritional balance, and presentation processes must be correct so our children grow healthy and become an excellent generation,” he said.
He appreciated the use of modern equipment and the discipline of kitchen staff who had worked according to food safety standards. Nevertheless, Ibas believed that enhancing human resource capacity and consistency in implementing standards needed continued monitoring to ensure service quality remained uniform across all regions.