Coordinating Minister For Food Affirms That There Must Be Nutritionists In The MBG Kitchen

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan emphasized that the implementation of the Free Nutrition Food (BMG) program for the existence of nutritionists is a mandatory component.

This was conveyed by him after meeting with nutritionists who are members of the Indonesian Nutritionist Association (Persagi) in response to public debate about the professional status in the MBG program.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that the presence of nutritionists in the nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) or the kitchen of the MBG program organizers is very important to measure the nutritional value on the prepared food menu.

One, MBG remains and must, must, need (there is) a nutritionist profession in its implementation. It needs nutritionists, because it must be measured later. I repeat, MBG needs a nutritionist profession in organizing the process," he said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, November 19.

Therefore, said Zulhas, the role of nutritionists cannot be separated from the goals of the MBG program which targets to improve the quality of human resources (HR). This is because nutrition fulfillment is considered to determine physical development to child intelligence.

"This is an important theme that we discuss, because the keyword is that our country can progress depending on the SKM, human resources are the person, whether it will be great or not depending on the intake," he said.

Zulhas also said the results of the MBG program are planned to be evaluated periodically. Starting from the impact on children's physical development, to children's intelligence.

Later it will be measured, it will be measured for six months if it has been given a nutritious diet, the growth rate, the physical, the IQ and others will be measured. We will see how it will be, so the function of these friends (nutritionists) is very important," he said.

The former Minister of Trade also invited nutritionists to track down public consumption, especially children. This is because the habit of consuming high- sugar foods and drinks is now increasingly prevalent in Indonesia.

"We invited nutritionists to participate in supervising food anywhere. Earlier we discussed, now Indonesia has a very high level of people who have diabetes, or high sugar, and there are even children," he said.

Selain itu, Zulhas juga meminta agar edukasi terkait gizi diperluas, baik di lingkungan sekolah maupun di dapur-dapur pelaksana program MBG.

“Mengajak ahli gizi untuk melakukan edukasi terhadap makanan-makanan yang anak-anak kita layak, bagus untuk dikonsumsi dan mana yang perlu dihindari termasuk yang tadi gulanya tinggi itu,” ujar Zulhas.

In addition, Zulhas also requested that education related to nutrition be expanded, both in the school environment and in the kitchens implementing the MBG program.

"Inviting nutritionists to educate foods that our children deserve, are good for consumption and which ones need to be avoided, including those with high sugar," said Zulhas.