National Nutrition Agency: No Free Nutritious Meal Distribution During Sahur

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has denied information circulating on social media regarding the distribution of the free nutritious meal programme (MBG) during sahur (pre-dawn meal) hours throughout Ramadan. The agency confirmed the reports are untrue.

BGN Deputy Head for Public Communications and Investigation, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, stressed that there is no MBG distribution scheme during the early morning hours as suggested in a viral social media video.

“We need to set the record straight — MBG during Ramadan is only distributed on Mondays and Thursdays, with official service hours from 08:00–09:00 and 11:00–12:00 Western Indonesian Time. There is no distribution during sahur,” Nanik said on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

Nanik explained that the service mechanism during Ramadan has been regulated under BGN Head Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026 concerning Free Nutritious Meal Programme Services during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447H/2026 as well as the 2026 Lunar New Year Holiday. The circular contains no provision for food distribution during sahur hours.

MBG distribution, Nanik said, is limited to twice a week — every Monday and Thursday. This schedule applies across all mechanisms, whether collection at Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG), delivery to schools, or scheduled drop-off points.

For boarding schools and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), food preparation continues to take place during daytime hours, with serving times adjusted for iftar (breaking of fast) through coordination with the educational institutions.

BGN also noted that no MBG distribution took place during the early days of Ramadan, specifically from 18 to 22 February 2026. Distribution is set to resume on Monday, 23 February 2026, following the same twice-weekly service pattern.

In areas where the majority of beneficiaries observe the fast, MBG is provided in the form of healthy packaged meal sets that can be consumed at iftar or gradually. These packages are produced and packed by SPPG in compliance with balanced nutrition standards and food safety requirements.