Food Safety Must Be A Top Priority In The Free Food Program

JAKARTA - Food safety is an important foundation that must be a top priority in every food supply program, especially when targeting vulnerable groups such as children.

In the context of the Free Nutrition Food Program (MBG), food quality and safety guarantees are not only a matter of consumption feasibility, but also directly related to the growth and development and the future of the younger generation of Indonesia.

Member of Commission IX of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Netty Prasetiyani, emphasized that the quality and safety aspects of food in the MBG Program must be the main concern of all parties involved in its implementation.

"Security and quality of food for children cannot be negotiated. This must be a shared priority," he said when confirmed in Jakarta, Wednesday.

Netty also highlighted the importance of comprehensive supervision of all stages of program operations by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). According to him, the implementation of the program needs to be carried out in a targeted and accountable manner, in order to be able to encourage the realization of Indonesia's golden generation.

"Every element of program implementation must be closely monitored. Do not let the government's good intentions actually pose a new risk," he added.

He expressed his appreciation for the manager of the MBG kitchen who continued to carry out their duties despite facing a number of challenges, especially in terms of payments and operations.

"Commitment and dedication of field partners are very important. They are the spearhead of the success of this program," he said.

Netty encourages BGN to conduct a thorough evaluation of the program mechanism, starting from the supervision system in the field, setting nutritious and safe food standards, to the process of disbursing funds that must be carried out in a transparent and accountable manner.

The MBG program is not just providing food, but forming a healthy and resilient future generation. It takes seriousness from all parties to ensure that the goal is truly achieved," he said.

Previously, the food poisoning incident that befell dozens of students in Cianjur Regency was in the spotlight. The local Health Office established an Extraordinary Event (KLB) status after receiving reports from two schools whose students experienced symptoms of poisoning after eating food from the MBG program.

Responding to the incident, BGN immediately took steps by sending food samples to the West Java Regional Health Laboratory (Labkesda) for laboratory tests.

We have sent the food sample cooked on Monday (April 21) to the West Java Labkesda. We are still waiting for the official results of the test and will submit the update as soon as the results come out," said Head of BGN, Dadan Hindayana.

Dadan explained that laboratory results are expected to be available within a maximum of ten days. He also said that the food provided had gone through the processing stage according to applicable standards, based on information from the local nutrition fulfillment team.

In closing, Dadan emphasized that student safety is the highest priority in the implementation of this program, and his party will continue to make improvements to ensure food safety in the future.