New MBG Rule: Kitchen Heads Required On Site From 2 AM, No Kitchen Leader Means No Cooking

The government is tightening oversight of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. Through the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), the government now requires the head of each Nutrition Service Fulfilment Unit (SPPG) to be physically present at the kitchen during operational hours.

The rule is being implemented to ensure the food preparation process meets standards while preventing food safety problems that could harm beneficiaries, especially students.

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan, known as Zulhas, said that under the applicable standard operating procedure (SOP), SPPG kitchens begin operating at the earliest at 2 AM.

Zulhas explained that the requirement for SPPG heads to be present from the early hours is part of an important change in the management of the MBG programme.

The presence of the SPPG head is needed to ensure that cooking is not done too early or even since the previous day.

This relates to the safety and quality of the food that will be given to beneficiaries. If food is cooked too far ahead of distribution time, there is a risk that it may spoil by the time it is received and consumed.

“There is something new as well, an important change I think in the new management of this agency, that the role of the SPPG is to be present during working hours. Now, this is the most important thing, the kitchen operational hours,” Zulhas said at a press conference at his office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, 26 August 2026.

According to Zulhas, MBG kitchen operational hours run from 2 AM to 8 AM. For eastern Indonesia, operational times are adjusted to the applicable local time standards.

“Now, the kitchen operational hours are 2 AM. In eastern Indonesia it might be 12 (WIB standard), some at 1. So the working hours start from 2 AM until 8 AM,” he said.

The government is not only requiring SPPG heads to be physically present on site. Their presence will also be monitored by BGN.

Zulhas said monitoring is carried out through an online attendance system as well as monitoring using Zoom. With this mechanism, SPPG heads can be confirmed to be on site during kitchen operational hours.

“Now it is mandatory from 2 AM to 8 AM for the head to be on site, and the Zoom is on, the attendance is checked. So our colleagues at BGN are also doing night prayers. At 1 AM, 2 AM they are already ready,” Zulhas said.