He expressed confidence that the government would meet the ambitious target following the issuance of a presidential regulation (Perpres) that sets out strategies to improve the program’s governance.
“We can expect the MBG program to reach 82.9 million people by March 2026, with zero cases of defect,” Hasan remarked in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The minister emphasized that the government has been working to thoroughly evaluate and strengthen the MBG program’s management to ensure that no more people experience health problems after receiving free nutritious meals.
He also noted his new duty to lead a team tasked with enhancing MBG coordination between central and regional institutions to improve compliance with food quality and safety standards.
“We will make sure that our oversight reaches all the way down to villages through the involvement of the Health Ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, governors, district heads, mayors, and sub-district leaders,” he affirmed.
Hasan added that under the supervision of National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Deputy Head Naniek S. Deyang, officials would conduct routine evaluations of MBG implementation through local health offices and community health centers.
During a plenary meeting of the Red and White Cabinet in Jakarta on Monday (October 20), President Prabowo Subianto reported that the government had distributed 1.4 billion portions of free nutritious meals to nearly 37 million citizens since the program’s launch in January.
He noted that this achievement was supported by more than 12,500 kitchens, officially called nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs), across Indonesia.
While acknowledging the program’s progress, Prabowo admitted that some challenges persist, including recent food poisoning incidents in several regions. Therefore, he urged all stakeholders to strengthen program management and ensure food safety.
After attending the meeting, BGN Head Dadan Hindayana confirmed that the formulation of the Perpres on MBG governance had been completed.
He explained that the regulation includes provisions detailing sanctions for SPPGs that fail to comply with standard operating procedures or meet program requirements.
Related news: Indonesia freezes 112 MBG kitchens amid food safety push
Related news: MBG program reaches 36.7 million Indonesians in first year: govt
Translator: Maria C, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
