BGN Closes 1, 300 Free Nutritious Meal Kitchens in Three Weeks
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has taken firm action by closing 1,300 Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens within three weeks. Strict evaluations are being conducted to ensure food safety standards and prevent food poisoning, especially considering the program's importance for the first 1,000 days of life.
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has closed approximately 1,300 Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens in the last three weeks.
This closure is part of a comprehensive evaluation of MBG kitchens that are deemed not to meet the standards set by BGN.
The step was taken as a serious effort to prevent the recurrence of food poisoning cases in the implementation of the MBG program.
Head of BGN Sudaryono, before the flag lowering ceremony for the 81st Indonesian Independence Day at the Merdeka Palace on Monday (17/8/2026), explained the details of these closures.
"So I have closed maybe 800, plus yesterday I closed 500, so that's 1,300 I've closed in the three weeks I've been head," said Sudaryono.
Permanent Closure for Safety
Sudaryono emphasized that the closures are not just temporary. SPPGs that cannot be improved or are unable to meet BGN standards may be permanently closed.
According to him, food safety standards in the MBG program are non-negotiable. This is directly related to the health and safety of the beneficiaries.
"If there are still those who haven't, who don't want to fix it, then I apologize, for the sake of someone's life, for the sake of someone's health, for the sake of fulfilling the nutrition of all our children, for the sake of this program's excellence, the intention is good, the goal is good, but the implementation cannot be followed, then it must, it must be permanently closed," stressed Sudaryono.
BGN continues to evaluate kitchens that still have deficiencies. If the problems can be fixed and the standards can be met, SPPG operations can continue.
Tightened Food Inspection Methods
Sudaryono also highlighted the methods of food inspection before serving. Organoleptic examination by looking at the smell, taste, or tasting the food is not always sufficient to ensure the food is safe to consume.
He cited a case that occurred in Berastagi, North Sumatra, which became one of the bases for BGN's evaluation.
Food may appear normal when examined organoleptically, but it can still cause problems after consumption.
The Free Nutritious Meal program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers (MBG 3B) is a strategic government investment.
Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (Kemendukbangga/BKKBN) Wihaji stated that the main focus of MBG 3B is to ensure that nutritional needs in the first 1,000 days of life (HPK) are met.
This period is crucial for brain development as well as future physical growth and cognitive abilities.
Therefore, safety and nutritional standards in its implementation are important to maintain the quality of Indonesian human resources from the early stages of life.
