Jakarta (ANTARA) - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana has said that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program is now covering 733 thousand beneficiaries across Indonesia.

The beneficiaries include students, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers.

"The MBG has been implemented in 246 nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG) throughout Indonesia, covering 733 thousand beneficiaries," he informed here on Friday.

Hindayana added that partners involved in the MBG program need to meet certain standards, including providing proper fulfillment of calories and nutritional content.

"The BGN does not set national menu standards, but requires nutritional composition standards, such as 30 percent protein, 40 percent carbohydrates, and 30 percent fiber (in the meal)," he expounded.

Regarding his previous comments about the potential use of insect protein in MBG menus, Hindayana clarified that the menu can be adjusted to local tastes and dietary habits.

"It is possible to use insect protein as a menu option in certain areas where it is commonly consumed, but it will not become a standard for the entire country," he said.

Earlier, a survey by the Indikator Politik Indonesia institute found that 64.6 percent of respondents were satisfied with the MBG program during the first 100 days of President Prabowo Subianto in office.

A researcher at the institute, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, informed that 64.6 percent of those who were satisfied with the program were among the 91.3 percent who were aware or knew about the MBG program.

"(Of the total respondents,) 87.1 percent strongly agreed or agreed with the program," Muhtadi said.

However, he said that despite the positive response, President Prabowo and his team should know that not everyone is satisfied with the program.

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Translator: Lintang P, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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