MBG Program Beneficiaries in West Pasaman Reach 29,452 People

Simpang Empat (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (Boch) for the West Pasaman Regency, West Sumatra, has recorded that beneficiaries of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme have reached 29,452 people as of September 2026.

“These beneficiaries come from 12 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) that are currently operational,” said the BGN West Pasaman Regional Coordinator, Putri Geo Anggriani, in Simpang Empat on Saturday.

According to her, the MBG beneficiaries include students from both public and private schools, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

The agency is currently tightening the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the SPPG in preparing MBG meals before they are distributed to beneficiaries.

“Every day, the head of the SPPG is required to conduct checks and supervision to prevent any undesirable incidents,” she said.

She noted that supervision includes checking the quality of raw materials, kitchen sanitation cleanliness, and ensuring volunteers use essential equipment such as masks and gloves.

Furthermore, organoleptic testing—an inspection of food quality and feasibility using the senses (colour, aroma, texture, and taste) by nutritionists at each SPPG—must be conducted before the food is distributed to beneficiaries.

The agency also conducts morning Zoom briefings at 03:00 WIB and afternoon Zoom briefings at 17:00 WIB across all SPPGs in Indonesia as a preventive measure against fatal incidents.

“These hours are considered crucial periods that must be strictly supervised by the head of the SPPG, nutrition supervisors, accounting supervisors, and field assistants,” she added.

Supervision also involves the Health Office and the Food Security Office, including the monitoring of Hygiene Sanitation Feasibility Certificates (SLHS).

Meanwhile, the West Pasaman Regency Government is also conducting strict oversight of the operational SPPGs.

“We do not want incidents like those seen in other regions, even though we have maintained a zero-accident record in West Pasamin so far,” said the West Pasaman Regional Secretary, Doddy San Ismail.

His office, alongside the Health Office and the Food Security Office, continues to carry out supervision to ensure that SPPGs comply with existing SOPs.