Hindayana explained BGN's policy refers to the principles of the World Health Organization (WHO) and national regulations to strive exclusive breastfeeding for infants.
"For infants aged up to 6 months, there is no infant formula intervention in the MBG programme. Therefore, the MBG does not provide any infant formula options at all," Hindayana remarked here on Friday.
This policy is in line with the Health Law Number 17 of 2023, the Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024 on Health, and WHO recommendations regarding the protection of exclusive breastfeeding.
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Hindayana emphasised that products such as follow-on formula for infants aged 6-12 months, growth formula for children aged 12-36 months, and special drinks for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers are legal products whose use is regulated by the state.
However, those products can only be used as specific nutritional intervention options within the MBG programme, subject to strict technical criteria and medical indications based on the decision of a health worker or doctor.
"They are not intended as breast milk substitutes, not for free or mass distribution, not intended to promote the milk industry, and only given in certain cases and at certain times in accordance with applicable regulations," he pointed out.
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Translator: Lintang Budiyanti P, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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