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View all search resultsBGN issues new free meals guidelines to keep food fresh
The nutrition agency's newly issued food safety protocol includes time limits for food preparation, the use of sterile water and other measures in a bid to achieve zero incidents of food poisoning that has beset the ambitious free meals program, with two executive rules in the works to oversee its ongoing rollout.
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A worker at the Surabaya Police’s nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) shows a tray of food to be distributed under the free nutritious meal program on Oct. 29, 2025, in the East Java capital. (Antara/Didik Suhartono)
T
he National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has introduced a new food safety protocol for the free nutritious meal program to ensure that food remains fresh as well as to bring the program’s rollout closer to its “zero incidents” target, although concerns persist over its rapid scale-up to reach 82.9 million beneficiaries.
In less than 10 months, President Prabowo Subianto’s flagship free meals program has expanded from serving just 3 million students at its launch in January to 37 million students, infants and pregnant women nationwide as of October.
But the reoccurrence of mass food poisoning among beneficiaries has amplified doubts over the program’s breakneck expansion and prompted widespread calls for its suspension as the number of cases reached 13,000 earlier this month.
Amid the mounting scrutiny, BGN head Dadan Hindayana announced on Monday that a new food safety protocol to be implemented at the more than 12,500 catering services involved in the program, formally known as nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPG).
The new rules are based on a review of previous food poisoning cases and international best practices.
“We want to take steps that minimize major incidents,” Dadan told a press conference that was broadcast live. “Our goal of zero incidents is what we are working toward.”
Read also: Calls grow to suspend free meal program after mass poisoning
