MBG Menu Picu Kontroversy, 7 Reasons Ultra Processed Food Is Risky For Children's Health

JAKARTA - Recently, the term Ultra Processed Food or UPF has become increasingly a topic of conversation, especially after this type of food was found in the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) menu, a program that aims to improve the nutritional quality of school children.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) itself has given permission to use UPF in the MBG menu, provided that the products used must be local. However, this decision sparked criticism from nutritionists who reminded that programs such as MBG should prioritize fresh and natural nutritious food, not processed foods that are highly processed.

So what exactly is Ultra Processed Food? Why do these types of foods are often associated with unhealthy diets and become a controversy when entering programs that should help improve children's nutrition?

Getting to know Ultra Processed Food (UPF)

Reporting from the Medical News Today page, processed food is nothing new. Almost all of the food we consume undergo a processing process in various forms, ranging from heating, annealing, to freezing. However, not all processed foods are harmful to health.

Ultra Processed Food is a special food category that undergoes a heavy and complex chemical processing process. Usually this food contains ingredients such as additional sugar, trans fats, synthetic chemicals, dyes, artificial preservatives and flavors.

Examples of ultra-processed food include frozen ready-to-eat food, packaged cakes, packaged white bread, sweet breakfast contracts, instant noodles, nuggets, sausages, soft drinks, and more.

Ultra-process foods usually have a good taste and a relatively affordable price. However, the nutritional content is often low, especially less fiber and other important nutrients, as well as containing high amounts of sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Various studies have shown excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods are closely related to the risk of serious health problems such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease to early death.

Here are 7 reasons why ultra-processed foods are risky for health

1. High Sugar Content

These foods often contain additional sugar that can increase the risk of obesity and metabolic disease.

2. Chemicals and Preservables

The use of artificial ingredients makes food more durable and attractive, but its long-term effects on health are not yet fully known.

3. Processed Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates from UPF are quickly absorbed by the body, causing a spike in blood sugar and making us quickly hungry again.

4. Low Nutrition and Fiber

The processing process eliminates most of the nutrients and natural fiber that are important for digestive and heart health.

5. High Kalori and Excessive Consumption

This food is easy to eat and digest, so we tend to overeat without realizing it.

6. Trans fat

Many ultra-processed foods contain trans fats that can increase the risk of heart disease.

7. Lack of Natural Healthy Compounds

Unlike fresh foods, UPF does not contain antioxidants and natural anti-inflammatory compounds that protect the body.

BGN's decision to include the UPF in the MBG menu on the grounds that supporting local products has a good goal, namely helping local producers and facilitating the provision of food. However, nutritionists think that this can actually conflict with the main goal of the program, namely improving the quality of children's nutrition.

Children who are still growing need optimal nutritional intake from fresh foods such as fruits, vegetables, seeds and healthy protein. If you consume too much UPF rich in sugar, salt, and saturated fat, the risk of health problems actually increases from an early age.