Sudaryono Bans Subsidised LPG, Cooking Oil, and Rice in Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has stressed that kitchens for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme are prohibited from using subsidised raw materials such as Minyakita cooking oil. The ban also applies to the use of subsidised 3-kg LPG canisters. “SPPG must not cook for MBG using Minyakita, must not use 3-kilo gas canisters, and must not use SPHP rice,” he stated during a press conference at the BGN Office in Jakarta on Monday (27/7/2026). If an MBG kitchen is found violating the rules, the BGN will take firm action, including the possibility of shutting down the kitchen. “If there is, for example, a finding in the media, please report which kitchen is using Minyakita, we will give them a warning. If they remain stubborn and defiant, we will close the kitchen,” he said. Beyond banning subsidised raw materials, Sudaryono also emphasised that MBG kitchens must adhere to the government reference price (HAP) when purchasing commodities. “For instance, the reference price for eggs should be Rp25,000 at the farm, but the market price drops to Rp12,000-Rp15,000. The Head of the Kitchen must then buy eggs not at Rp12,000-Rp15,000, but must purchase eggs at the government reference price to ensure price stabilisation and that farmers are not disadvantaged,” Sudaryono explained. “I repeat, if you encounter very cheap egg prices, you must buy eggs according to the government reference price,” he stressed. He affirmed that this policy aims to uphold the MBG’s objective as a supply stabiliser and a floor price stabiliser to prevent losses for farmers, breeders, and fishers. “That is indeed the purpose of this MBG, to act as a supply stabiliser and a price stabiliser at the lowest level, known as the flooring price, to ensure that breeders and farmers are not disadvantaged,” he added.