The Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, launched earlier this year as a flagship government initiative, was designed to tackle malnutrition and improve student health across Indonesia. The program aims to provide daily nutritious meals to schoolchildren, particularly in regions where stunting and undernutrition remain pressing public health concerns.

However, the program has recently come under fire after a series of food poisoning cases were reported among students in several provinces. The incidents have raised questions about food safety standards, monitoring systems, and the overall readiness of schools and local operators tasked with running the initiative.

Amid growing concern, the House of Representatives (DPR) has called on the government to strengthen oversight and ensure that the program does not compromise children’s safety.

*DPR calls for stricter supervision*

Chairman of the House’s Commission X, Lalu Hadrian Irfani, urged Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Abdul Mu'ti to work closely with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to address the issue.

“The health and safety of students must come above everything else. This program was born out of good intentions to improve children’s nutrition, but its implementation must not put their lives at risk. We need to learn from this case and immediately carry out a thorough evaluation,” Lalu told reporters on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025.

*Gaps in implementation*

The food poisoning incidents, according to Lalu, highlight weaknesses in program management and monitoring. He emphasized the importance of cross-sector coordination to prevent further cases and called for comprehensive oversight.

“The evaluation must cover every aspect from upstream to downstream. There should be no loophole that endangers children. Kitchen operators and schools running the MBG program must be strictly monitored to ensure all meals meet nutritional and hygiene standards,” he said.

*Focus on quality over expansion*

Lalu also cautioned the government against rushing to expand the MBG program before addressing its weaknesses. Instead, he argued, the priority should be on meal quality, safety, and long-term sustainability.

“This is a long-term initiative and should serve as a vehicle to improve the quality of Indonesia’s younger generation,” he concluded.