National Nutrition Agency's Directives on Free Nutritious Meals During Ramadan
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) will continue distributing Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) during Ramadan 2026, which falls from mid-February to March this year.
BGN Head Dadan Hindayana said his agency has prepared four distribution schemes for MBG during Ramadan. These schemes may be implemented by Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) according to the characteristics of beneficiaries in their respective areas.
Additionally, BGN has issued a number of directives regarding MBG distribution during the fasting month. The following is a summary of BGN’s statements on the Free Nutritious Meals programme during Ramadan 1447 Hijriah:
No MBG Distribution at Pre-Dawn Meal Times
BGN has denied information circulating on social media regarding MBG distribution during pre-dawn meal (sahur) times during Ramadan. The agency confirmed that the reports are untrue.
BGN Deputy Head for Public Communication and Investigation Nanik Sudaryati Deyang stressed that there is no scheme for MBG distribution in the early hours of the morning as suggested in a viral social media video. “We need to clarify that MBG during Ramadan is only distributed on Mondays and Thursdays during official service hours of 08:00–09:00 WIB and 11:00–12:00 WIB. There is no distribution during sahur,” Nanik said on Sunday, 22 February 2026.
Nanik explained that service mechanisms during Ramadan have been regulated under BGN Head Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026 concerning the Free Nutritious Meals Programme Service during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1447H/2026M as well as the 2026 Lunar New Year Holiday. The circular contains no provisions for food distribution at pre-dawn meal times.
MBG distribution, Nanik said, is limited to twice a week, specifically every Monday and Thursday. This schedule applies to all mechanisms, whether collection at SPPG locations, delivery to schools, or delivery through scheduled handover points.
For boarding schools and Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), food preparation continues during the daytime with serving times adjusted for breaking of the fast, coordinated with the educational institutions.
No MBG at the Start of Ramadan
BGN announced that at the start of Ramadan, specifically from 18–22 February 2026, no MBG distribution would take place. Distribution resumed from Monday, 23 February 2026, following the same service pattern of twice per week.
For areas where the majority of beneficiaries observe the fast, MBG is provided in the form of healthy packaged food parcels that can be consumed at the time of breaking the fast or gradually. These parcels are produced and packaged by SPPG units whilst maintaining balanced nutrition standards and food safety requirements.
Ultra-Processed and Spicy Products Banned from MBG During Ramadan
BGN has prohibited Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units from providing ultra-processed food (UPF) products in MBG menus during Ramadan. The prohibition is set out in Circular Letter Number 3 of 2026, which governs the implementation of the MBG Programme during Ramadan, the joint Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijriah holiday, and the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday.
The circular states that during the Ramadan period, beneficiaries will receive MBG menus in healthy packaging that do not use manufactured UPF products.
UPF refers to food produced through a series of industrial processes using additives such as preservatives, colourants, and flavourings. The primary purpose of ultra-processed food production is to create products that are ready to eat, long-lasting, and easy to serve.
“Recommended menu items for packaged food include salted eggs, shredded meat (abon), dried jerky (dendeng), fruit, or other local specialities, as well as dates (optional), whilst maintaining food safety, food quality, and nutritional standards according to the age group of beneficiaries,” said BGN Head Dadan Hindayana in a written statement on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Dadan also requested that MBG kitchens refrain from serving food that spoils quickly, has a spicy flavour, or has the potential to cause food safety incidents.
No MBG During the Eid al-Fitr Holiday
Dadan said the Free Nutritious Meals would not be distributed during Eid al-Fitr and the joint holiday period from 18–24 March 2026 for all target beneficiaries, both students and non-students.
As a replacement, distribution will be carried out earlier using healthy bundled packaging parcels. Bundled parcels combine multiple days’ worth of MBG healthy packaged meals delivered at once. However, Dadan emphasised that the maximum shelf life of received food is limited to three days.
“Distribution will take place on the last distribution day beforehand, namely Tuesday, 17 March 2026, consisting of one healthy packaged meal parcel plus three bundled healthy parcels for MBG allocation from Wednesday, 18 March 2026 to Friday, 20 March 2026,” Dadan said, as quoted from his written statement on Saturday, 14 February 2026.
Four MBG Schemes During Ramadan
Dadan Hindayana outlined four MBG distribution schemes during Ramadan. The first scheme involves SPPG continuing to deliver MBG menus to schools where the majority of students are Muslim. However, SPPG will provide long-lasting menu items so that fasting students can take the food home to consume when breaking their fast. “They can take it home to consume at the time of breaking the fast,” Dadan said at Istiqlal Mosque, Central Jakarta, on Saturday, 7 February 2026.
The second scheme, Dadan explained, applies to schools where the majority of students are not fasting. In these areas, MBG will operate as normal, allowing students to consume their free meals at school.
The third scheme applies to pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. In Islamic teaching, these three groups are permitted not to fast. Dadan said MBG provision for them would continue as normal.
The fourth scheme applies to beneficiaries in pesantren or boarding school environments. Under this scheme, SPPG units located at pesantren will adjust their food preparation and serving times accordingly.