Schools May Reject Free Nutritious Meal Programme If Food Smells Unpleasant

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, stated that schools have the authority to reject Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) deliveries that do not meet the required specifications.

“If the food is received by the school without labels on each container, I request that it not be distributed; it should be rejected,” Sudaryono said during a Nutrition Literacy Webinar for School Principals, broadcast via the BNG YouTube channel on Tuesday (15/9).

Sudaryono noted that schools can also reject or halt the consumption of MBG in several other situations, such as if the food has an unpleasant odour. “Whether it smells, whether there is a possibility of it being spoiled, whether the containers are labelled, or whether the time has exceeded the limits, and so on. If it is deemed unsafe, we ask teachers to stop it; it must not be eaten,” he said.

Furthermore, the Golkar Party politician mentioned that schools are permitted to issue warnings to the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG). However, if the SPPG fails to heed such warnings, Sudaryono has ordered schools to reject the provided MBG.

“If the labels are incorrect, please issue a warning. If the warning is not addressed, reject it. If the MBG or the kitchens are acting arbitrarily, reject them,” he stated.

Sudaryono also urged school principals to be firm regarding these rejections to avoid being held responsible should any undesirable incidents occur. “We want firmness from you, school principals. As I repeat, if the MBG service does not provide time labels on all containers, reject it. Do not let a situation arise where you, the principals, are blamed if something goes wrong; that is why we are making this clarification,” Sudaryono explained.