Deputy Chair of Commission IX, Nihayatul Wafiroh, in the TVR 120 broadcast of the DPR monitored here on Thursday, noted that the standards are essential to ensure the food provided to all schools is safe.
"Each region probably has its own hygiene standards; everyone has their own hygiene standards. The list to check the hygiene standards might be different. Thus, BGN must create a detailed list of clear standards," she said.
She noted that currently, there are differences in hygiene standards applied in several regions, from waste management to the storage of food materials.
According to her, Commission IX believes that making the MBG program a success is a shared responsibility of all relevant parties. With clear and uniform hygiene standards, the risks of food poisoning can be avoided while at the same time ensuring the quality of food.
The MBG program was launched on January 6, 2025, as one of the main initiatives of President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka for their 2024–2029 term.
Through the program, the government aims to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.
Earlier, President Prabowo has highlighted his commitment to continue the MBG program with an allocated budget of Rp335 trillion (approximately US$20.37 billion) in the 2026 draft state budget.
The president is targeting the program to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries across the country.
On Tuesday (August 26), President Prabowo affirmed that the number of MBG beneficiaries has surpassed the 21 million mark as of August 25, 2025.
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Translator: Tri Meilani, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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