Nutrition–Price Labelling for MBG in Jogja Yields Positive Response
The Governor of the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, has directed that the nutritional content and prices be listed on the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). The move has drawn fairly positive responses from schools and parents.
The head of a private junior high school in Jogja, Anton, said the nutrition- and price-labelling had just been applied at his school in recent days. ‘From what we have been told, it seems to have been in place since Wednesday. Because our school can’t realistically carry out lab analyses every day. From that data we can know the nutritional content and the prices,’ he told detikJogja in Jogja on Friday, 6 March 2026.
According to Anton, information on prices also helps the school understand the composition of the meals provided to students. He said price transparency helps address doubts that had arisen in the community about the value of the meals received by students.
‘These days people might think you can get anything for Rp 10,000. But when there is a price label, we know the breakdown. We also trust there is a nutritionist who sets it,’ he added.
Nevertheless, Anton hoped the quality of the meals would remain the main focus of MBG.
‘What matters is the quality for the children. We also always say that this is free nutritious meals, not a luxury meal. The important thing is that the nutrition is good,’ he said.
Meanwhile, a parent of a student, Penny from Sleman, said the presence of nutrition and price labels helps parents better understand the value of the meals their children receive at school.
‘In my view it is good, because the nutritional content is clear. Second, the issue of price. Sometimes mothers are suspicious, ’this meal is Rp 15,000, yet you get this much’,’ she said.
‘If there is a price, it becomes clear. Oh, this is the price, this much. So as a parent I am more satisfied,’ she added.
Another parent, Yanti from Sleman, also supported the Governor’s directive. She said the policy makes the nutrition information for the MBG menu more transparent.
‘Having the label is better, so we can know its nutritional content too. The Governor’s directive is good. Hopefully MBG, with the Governor’s guidance, can improve further and with better nutrition, and the price information will also be clear,’ she said.
(apl/apu)