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View all search resultsRaw catfish sparks nationwide shutdown of free-meal kitchens
Kitchens that fail to obtain mandatory hygiene and sanitation certificates are subject to suspension.
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A nutritionist shows a meal package to be distributed under the free nutritious meal program at the Tanjunganom kitchen in Nganjuk, East Java, on Oct. 20, 2025. (Antara/Muhammad Mada)
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font size="2">The National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which oversees the government’s free-meal program, has temporarily halted operations at more than 2,200 kitchens nationwide for failing to obtain mandatory hygiene certification, amid growing complaints about meal quality and safety, particularly during the fasting month of Ramadan.
The program has again drawn public criticism after clips showing meal packages containing raw marinated catfish circulated widely on social media.
A total of 1,022 meal packages, which also included uncooked tempeh and tofu, had been prepared for distribution to students at state senior high school SMAN 2 Pamekasan in East Java on Monday.
The packages, intended to cover three days of meals, were immediately rejected by the school’s principal over concerns that they could endanger students’ health.
“On Monday, the free-meal allocation meant to cover three days until Wednesday was rejected [...] I apologize to the kitchen that prepared the meals, but the school made this decision for the safety of the children,” school principal Moh. Arifin told journalists on Tuesday.
BGN decided on Wednesday to temporarily suspend the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) Pamekasan Pademawu Buddagan.
The move came a day after BGN deputy head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang defended the kitchen, saying the circulating clips did not show the full menu, which also included bread, boiled eggs, milk and dragon fruit.
