Mataram Implements 4-Hour Consumption Rule for Free Nutritious Meals

The Mataram City Government is requiring all free nutritious meal (MBG) kitchens in Mataram to label food packages with a consumption time. The maximum time limit for consuming the food is four hours after cooking.

Assistant I of the Mataram Regional Secretariat, Lalu Martawang, stated that the policy was adopted following firm directives from the central government to maintain food quality and safety. Under the new regulation, the city government mandates every Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) to provide a consumption time label on each food package distributed. This measure is taken to anticipate undesirable incidents and protect the health of students.

“The Education Department has been asked to ensure that every SPPG kitchen creates a consumption time label for the food. The provision is that it can be consumed by children within a maximum of four hours after cooking. However, if it exceeds the specified time limit, the school has the right to reject it for the safety of the children,” Martawang said during a confirmation on Friday (14/8/2026).

“The Head of the National Nutrition Agency said we do not want to gamble with the lives of our children,” he continued.

In addition to the consumption time labelling, the new regulation encourages schools, school committees, parents, and the public to actively supervise the MBG programme. “School committees are now permitted to directly supervise and check the condition of MBG kitchens and the food menu being cooked,” Martawang said.

If any menu discrepancies or issues are found in the field, all parties can submit reports through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) portal. Any reports or obstacles can be immediately entered into the special BGN portal.