Thousands of SPPG Temporarily Halted, Head of BGN Reveals the Reasons
The government, through the National Nutrition Agency, continues to tighten supervision of the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG), including by imposing sanctions on several Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) that have not met standards.
As is known, currently 26,066 SPPG are operational, with 2,162 SPPG temporarily closed, 1,789 SPPG suspended, 368 SPPG under SP1, and 5 SPPG under SP2.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, explained that one of the main causes of these temporary operational halts is the failure to meet the Hygiene and Sanitation Fitness Standards (SLHS). Additionally, there are SPPG that have registered but have not obtained certification within the specified time.
“The first reason is that they have not registered for SLHS. Then there are those that have registered but it hasn’t been issued after one month. Even if there are good SPPG, if the SLHS hasn’t been issued, we suspend them first,” he clarified when met at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, on Thursday (2/4).
According to him, this status is temporary and can change as each SPPG fulfils the requirements.
“This data will evolve later, because the SLHS could be issued in two or three days,” he added.
Besides certification issues, another obstacle found is the lack of wastewater treatment installation (IPAL) in several SPPG.
“There are also those that do not yet have IPAL. We ask them to build the IPAL first. So they are suspended temporarily, which could be one to two weeks depending on the speed of construction,” he said.
Furthermore, he acknowledged that these findings are also related to evaluations during Ramadan, where several cases of serving menus that did not meet standards were found.
“During last Ramadan, there were 62 SPPG that produced somewhat unsuitable menus. That was what became viral on social media, and we halted them first so they can make improvements,” he stated.
The West Bandung Regency government temporarily closed the Panyandaan SPPG, suspected of being the cause of mass student poisoning in Cisarua Subdistrict.
Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana said he has reprimanded the man who was dancing at an SPPG while showing an incentive of Rp6 million. He asked the viral man to apologise to the public.
Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana conveyed that President Prabowo Subianto has instructed that the entire implementation of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) should focus on improving SPPG.
Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana stated that the MBG Programme not only impacts the food sector but also increases community purchasing power and opens new job opportunities.
Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana reminded that sweet foods, fried items, and soda can be consumed, but their proportions need to be reduced for balanced nutrition.
Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana revealed that the presidential regulation (Perpres) on the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG) or Perpres MBG has been finalised.