IDAI Proposes Free Nutritious Meal Programme be Cooked in School Canteens to Prevent Poisoning
The Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI) has proposed that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme be cooked and served directly in school canteens. This step is considered more effective in guaranteeing food safety compared to formal procedures, such as asking teachers to taste the food before it is distributed.
The Chairperson of IDAI, Piprim Basarah Yanuarso, emphasised that food safety standards are crucial and non-negotiable. According to him, serving food directly from school canteens ensures that meals remain warm and fresh when consumed by students.
“Food safety standards are very strict and can no longer be compromised,” said Piprim, as reported by Antara on Friday (11/9).
He added that the concept of serving food within schools also allows meals to be tailored to children’s preferences, for example, through a buffet system, to make the food more appetizing.
This proposal emerges in response to recurring cases of food poisoning during the implementation of this national programme. Piprim emphasised that the noble intention of providing additional nutrition must be accompanied by a thorough evaluation of operational procedures in the field to protect children’s health.
In line with this, Damayanti Rusli from the IDAI Coordination Working Unit (UKK) for Nutrition and Metabolic Diseases explained that the risk of poisoning stems from two main factors: food-based hazards (exposure to chemicals, bacteria, and fungi) and the behaviour of food handlers.
Damayanti cited fatal errors such as mixing raw ingredients with cooked food, incorrect storage temperatures, and improper washing processes. She warned that children under the age of five and groups with low immunity are highly vulnerable to the fatal impacts of food poisoning.
Based on WHO data, one in ten people worldwide experiences food poisoning every year. IDAI recommends that the government objectively review the distribution concept of the MBG programme to ensure the safety of students across Indonesia.