Warning: Using Operational Vehicles for Grocery Shopping Could Lead to Suspension of Free Nutrition Programmes

Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, warned heads of Nutrition Service Units (SPPU) against using operational vehicles for grocery shopping. Nanik emphasised that operational vehicles should only be used to distribute Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to schools and community health centres, not for shopping or other purposes.

“SPPU operational vehicles are for distributing MBG to beneficiary schools and community health centres; they should not be used for shopping, let alone for other matters,” she said in a statement in Jakarta, as reported by the Antara news agency on Wednesday (25/2/2026).

Nanik stated that sanctions would be imposed on SPPUs that continue to use operational vehicles for grocery shopping. The sanction will be a temporary suspension of the SPPU’s operations.

She stressed the importance of maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of SPPU operational vehicles. She added that if the vehicles are used for grocery shopping, the food ingredients purchased will likely need to be cleaned again.

“If partners insist on using SPPU operational vehicles for shopping or other matters not related to the distribution of MBG, the head of the SPPU must firmly refuse. When shopping, the partner or supplier must arrange their own transportation to transport the food ingredients to the SPPU,” she said.

According to Nanik, when food ingredients supplied by suppliers arrive at the SPPU in the afternoon, the nutrition supervisor, financial supervisor, and field assistant must inspect all the food ingredients. The nutrition supervisor must check the condition, quality, and freshness of the food ingredients purchased by the partner from the suppliers.

“If you find that the ingredients are no longer suitable, especially if they are rotten, and the price has been marked up, do not accept them. You must be firm, return them to the supplier, and ask for new ones,” she said.

Thorough inspection and firm decisions are needed at this critical time. This is because, in several cases of food safety incidents experienced by some SPPUs, the condition of the food ingredients was already found to be less than fresh or of poor quality upon receipt.

(whn/idn)