BPKN asks BGN to evaluate the MBG Ramadan menu periodically

JAKARTA - The National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN) fully supports the steps taken by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to evaluate the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program during Ramadan, including improvements to packaging, menu composition, and distribution standards.

The Chairman of the BPKN RI Mufti Mubarok said that the evaluation was a strategic step to ensure that the MBG Program truly provides maximum benefits for the community, especially children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.

"BPKN fully supports BGN's steps in evaluating the MBG Program during Ramadan. This is a form of state responsibility in ensuring consumer rights to safe, nutritious, and affordable food," said Mufti Mubarok in his statement as reported by ANTARA, Friday, February 27.

The Mufti emphasized that the MBG Program is a national strategic program that concerns the basic rights of the community, so that quality, security, and transparency must be the main priority.

"The MBG program is a form of public service that directly touches the community. Therefore, the quality of food, packaging safety, and implementation transparency must be maintained. The evaluation carried out by BGN is the right step and needs to be supported by all parties," he said.

According to him, BPKN as a state institution tasked with protecting consumer rights will continue to monitor the implementation of the program so that it is in accordance with the principles of consumer protection as regulated in Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection.

The Mufti also encouraged BGN to continue to involve various stakeholders, including the community, schools, and supervisory institutions, in the evaluation and improvement process of the program.

"Periodic evaluation is very important to ensure that the MBG Program not only runs administratively, but actually provides real benefits for the health and well-being of the community, perhaps a BGN supervisory agency or a kind of supervisory council is needed," he said.

BPKN assessed that this evaluation step shows the government's commitment to improving the quality of public services and strengthening public confidence in the national nutrition fulfillment program, especially during Ramadan.

BGN previously stated that the MBG program during Ramadan was adjusted to the needs of beneficiaries, including providing take-home food packages to be consumed during Iftar. In addition, BGN continues to improve the quality of menus and packaging to ensure food safety and meet national nutrition standards.

The evaluation carried out by BGN includes aspects of food packaging, nutritional composition, to transparency in the use of budgets, to ensure that the program runs according to health standards and is targeted.