Nine MBG Kitchens Suspended for Providing Whole Coconuts, Here Are Their Locations
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has taken firm action against nine Nutrition Service Provision Units (SPPG) in Gresik Regency, East Java, which distributed whole coconuts as part of the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) menu. These nine SPPG units have now been formally suspended pending review of their operations.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of BGN for Public Communications and Investigation, expressed regret at the decision made by SPPG managers, stating that they had disregarded similar controversies that had previously attracted public attention.
“The provision of whole coconuts was already a matter of public concern in several regions. This should have served as a lesson for all SPPG managers to be more careful in determining the menu provided to beneficiaries,” said Nanik in Jakarta on Sunday, 15 March 2026.
Nanik firmly rejected the reasoning offered by the nine SPPG units, which claimed that the menu had been provided at the request of beneficiaries and therefore could not be held as justification. According to Nanik, every SPPG remains obligated to follow the established menu standards and operational guidelines outlined in the MBG programme.
“All SPPG units must adhere to the menu guidelines and service standards that have been set. For this reason, the nine SPPG units in Gresik that distributed whole coconuts are currently being temporarily suspended from operations for evaluation purposes,” she stated firmly.
Nanik further added that the agency has ordered disciplinary action to be taken against the SPPG heads involved. “I have also directed that SPPG heads face strict disciplinary measures, including formal warnings or transfers, because as leaders they failed to remain informed of public discourse, resulting in similar incidents being repeated,” she stressed.
Albertus Dony Dewantoro, Director of Monitoring and Supervision for Region II at BGN, stated that as of 14 March 2026, the nine SPPG units had ceased temporary operations.
The nine SPPG units in question are: SPPG Gresik Sidayu Ngawen; SPPG Gresik Sidayu Wadeng; SPPG Gresik Dukun Wonokerto; SPPG Gresik Dukun Lowayu; SPPG Gresik Dukun Sembungan Kidul; SPPG Gresik Dukun Tebuwung; SPPG Gresik Ujungpangkah Glatik; SPPG Gresik Balongpanggang Pucung; and SPPG Gresik Sidayu Sidomulyo.
BGN has also reminded all SPPG managers across various regions to exercise greater care in implementing the programme, including attention to menu standards, food safety, and sensitivity to issues emerging in the community.