To Maintain Public Trust in MBG, SPPG Operations Must Continue to Be Strictly Evaluated

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) continues to take proactive steps through a series of surprise inspections (sidak) on Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in various regions.

Director of the Research Institute of Socio-Economic Development (RISED), Fajar Rahmadi, believes this action is aimed at ensuring the continuity and quality of the Free Nutritious Meals Programme (MBG).

“Moreover, these inspections are also taken in response to the high expectations of the public and the need for SPPG partners to adhere strictly to standard operating procedures,” Fajar said in his statement on Friday, 27 March 2026.

He stated that evaluations of the MBG programme’s implementation actually have a broad impact in meeting public expectations for improving programme quality. Public support from diverse social strata is already evident.

RISED research data from three regencies/cities in Central Java shows that support for the continuity of the MBG programme is growing and exists in almost all layers of society, both among the economically weak and the affluent.

“Public support is already emerging, so what needs to be done next is to maintain and enhance public expectations towards the MBG programme,” he said.

Fajar also believes that the current implementation of MBG is not yet optimal. Delivery timeliness, menu quality, and types of menus provided need evaluation. “So that what the public receives meets the standards,” Fajar said.

According to RISED research results, 85% of the proportion of support for MBG comes from families with low expenditure levels (below Rp1 million); 78% of families with expenditure of Rp1-3 million also support the continuity of MBG.

Similarly, families with expenditure of Rp3-5 million (75%) and Rp5-10 million (60%) expressed their support for the MBG programme.

Nevertheless, the government must not be complacent with this support from various societal layers. The challenges currently faced by the MBG programme must be addressed immediately to meet public expectations.

“I strongly agree with the inspections carried out by BGN recently. We need standardisation of SPPG, both in terms of menus and operations, including hygiene that must be maintained,” Fajar said.

“If there are indeed SPPG that do not meet standards, BGN’s steps to temporarily close or conduct a total evaluation are very appropriate improvement methods for the future,” he added.