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View all search resultsBGN hires 5,000 chefs to train free meals kitchen staff
Training staff at free nutritious meal program kitchens to adhere to food and hygiene standards may be insufficient to preventing further food poisoning cases, experts have said.
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Workers prepare meal packages under the free nutritious meal program at the Plaju Ulu II nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Oct. 10, 2025. The kitchen disbursed 3,123 meal packages for eight schools in the area. (Antara/Nova Wahyudi)
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he National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has hired 5,000 professional chefs to train staff working at kitchens providing food under the free nutritious meal program, although experts have warned the move may not be a solution to the persistent food poisoning that has marred the program.
The agency announced the decision on Friday after reaching an agreement with the Indonesian Chef Association (ICA) to send chefs to kitchens to help staff cook professionally and following hygiene standards.
“The professional chefs will be deployed to various regions across Indonesia starting Oct. 13,” BGN head Dadan Hindayana said in a statement on Friday.
Established in 2007, ICA is a non-profit organization for culinary professionals and entrepreneurs with more than 4,000 members in 22 provinces as of 2021, according to its website.
The association chair Susanto reiterated its commitment to support the continuity of the free meal program, asserting that halting the program would not be a solution to the issues, which include mass food poisoning among students being fed under the program.
“Through collaboration, ICA hopes to play an active role as a strategic partner and provide a tangible and sustainable solution [for the program],” Susanto said in the Friday statement.
He added the association had shared recommendations with BGN on managing the kitchens, formally called the nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG), and would also provide technical guidance and certification assistance to kitchens’ staff.
