Ombudsman Member Yeka Hendra Fatika stated that the BGN should implement an inspection list system for all goods entering Nutritional Fulfillment Service Units (SPPGs) or MBG kitchens, accompanied by sample quality testing for all delivered goods.
"Certification from the BPOM (Food and Drug Supervisory Agency) is necessary for every supplier of SPPGs," he said at a press conference regarding the results of a rapid review on the prevention of maladministration in MBG implementation here on Tuesday.
He noted that there is a case where SPPGs only receive goods from one certified supplier, which actually sourced the goods from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that have not been certified.
To support the direct participation of MSMEs, he continued, they must be assisted in obtaining BPOM certification to provide food ingredients for the MBG program.
According to him, a tolerance threshold for quality deviation, for example, a maximum of 5 percent, and a compliance evaluation mechanism must be implemented.
"Suppliers that have repeatedly violated the specifications must be given a firm sanction, namely, being blacklisted," he added.
He noted that, based on the Ombudsman's review, several main problems exist in the MBG program, including a large gap between targets and achievements, and food poisoning outbreaks in several regions.
Earlier, in a press conference on Friday (September 26), the BGN, which is tasked with implementing MBG, reported that 70 food poisoning cases were recorded from January to September 2025, affecting 5,914 beneficiaries.
In response, the agency suspended the operations of 56 MBG kitchens linked to the cases.
The MBG program was launched by the Indonesian government on January 6, 2025, to improve the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia, Raka Adji
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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