Viral Raw Milkfish in Bantul; National Nutrition Agency Confirms Pressure-Cooked Fish is Properly Cooked
Jakarta — The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has confirmed that the milkfish menu distributed under the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) at the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) in Bantul Sedayu Argosari, Yogyakarta Special Region has undergone proper processing and is in a fully cooked condition.
This clarification was issued following the circulation of a video on social media claiming that the milkfish in the MBG menu was still raw.
The Deputy Head of BGN, Nanik S. Deyang, speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, affirmed that the fish used in the MBG menu is pressure-cooked milkfish that has undergone processing using high-pressure steaming methods.
“The milkfish being distributed is pressure-cooked milkfish that has already undergone processing and steaming, so it is in a cooked condition and safe to consume. The perception that the fish is raw arises because visually, pressure-cooked milkfish does indeed resemble fresh fish,” she said.
The menu was distributed to 1,680 beneficiaries on Friday (6 March) by the SPPG, which is managed by the Patriot Bangsa Mandiri Foundation. In the meal packages distributed, beneficiaries received banana bread, steamed pressure-cooked milkfish, braised tofu, and additional oranges for larger portions.
According to Nanik, the misunderstanding was also influenced by the lack of widespread public awareness regarding the characteristics of pressure-cooked milkfish preparations, which indeed have an exterior appearance resembling fresh fish despite being fully cooked.
“Because of this, we continue to encourage strengthening communication efforts in the field so that each menu distributed under the MBG programme is also accompanied by clear information for both beneficiaries and school authorities,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the Head of SPPG Bantul Sedayu Argosari, Muhammad Labib Jalali Khumaidi, explained that his team has been including storage instructions and consumption guidance with every food distribution.
“In every distribution, we always include meal packages with storage and consumption instructions so that food can be enjoyed safely and understood by the beneficiaries,” said Labib.