SPPGs warned against using ultra-processed food in free meal programme
“UPF must not be given to toddlers, pregnant women, or breastfeeding mothers. We have emphasized this to the SPPGs,” she said during a visit to the Celuk II SPPG kitchen in Celuk Village, Gianyar, Bali, on Monday.
Due to concerns over the extensive industrial processing of UPF, the nutritional needs of pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers - known as the 3B group - are expected to be met using fresh food ingredients.
During her visit, she ensured that the meals provided to other target groups, such as students, also met nutritional requirements, including protein from chicken, as well as fruits and vegetables.
Meanwhile, the Head of Celuk II SPPG, I Gusti Agung Alit Mustika Dwipayana, added that his team produces 2,719 meal portions daily, prepared by a staff of 43 people.
He asserted that the meals are prepared using natural ingredients and no UPF.
“We distribute the meals to two kindergartens, two elementary schools, two vocational high schools, and the Banjar Celuk Integrated Health Post,” he said.
Targeting 82.9 million beneficiaries nationwide, the MBG program was launched by the Indonesian government on January 6, 2025, aimed at improving the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.
The government is planning to expand the program to cover older adults and people with disabilities this year.
As an agency tasked with implementing MBG, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) is strengthening its supervision of the program’s food quality and safety.
Recently, the BGN has temporarily suspended the operations of 47 SPPGs over repeated findings of failure to meet food quality standards, including moldy bread, rotten fruit, spoiled side dishes, and raw or rotten eggs.
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Translator: Dewa Ketut, Raka Adji