Ministry: Protein-Based Free Nutritious Meals Effective for Stunting Prevention

The Ministry of Population and Family Development has stated that prioritising protein in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme is essential for effective stunting intervention among pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. Secretary of the Ministry Budi Setiyono said that to meet nutritional adequacy for stunting prevention, protein must be the main focus. “From a nutritional adequacy perspective, if the goal is stunting reduction, what must be prioritised is protein. Carbohydrates or vegetables are not as urgent, but the priority should be protein, whether from eggs, meat, fish, or other menus that support protein adequacy,” he said during a dialogue with Family Assistance Teams in Kembang Basen, Special Region of Yogyakarta, on Sunday. In commemoration of the 33rd National Family Day, Budi gathered input from the teams to refine the MBG policy, particularly for the 3B group. He stressed that community-based discussions and field monitoring results could serve as concrete proposals for improving the policy with the National Nutrition Agency. “We need to find a more effective MBG menu intervention for the 3B group in the context of preventing stunting-risk pregnancies and babies born with stunting, as well as supporting child growth up to the age of five. This will be conveyed in subsequent coordination stages, especially with the National Nutrition Agency, so that the presentation of special menus for the 3B group is adjusted to these needs,” Budi stated.