BGN Denies MBG Banded Raw Chicken in Bantul: What is Distributed is Presto Chicken

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) ensures that the bandeng fish menu distributed in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program at the Bantul Sedayu Argosari Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), Yogyakarta Special Region has undergone processing and is in a mature condition.

The clarification was made following the circulation of a video on social media stating that the bandeng fish in the MBG menu was still raw.

Deputy Head of BGN Nanik S. Deyangmenegaskan ikan yang digunakan dalam menu MBG tersebut merupakan bandeng presto yang telah melalui proses pengolahan menggunakan metode pengukusan bertekanan tinggi.

"The fish distributed are presto fish that have gone through the processing and cooking process so that they are mature and safe to consume. The perception of the fish is raw because visually the presto fish still resembles fresh fish," he said.

The menu was distributed to 1,680 beneficiaries on Friday (6/3) by SPPG managed by the Patriot Bangsa Mandiri Foundation. In the food package distributed, the beneficiaries received banana bread, steamed bandeng presto, ungkep tofu, and additional orange fruit for large portions.

BGN has also conducted an investigation into the processing, packaging, and distribution of food at the Bantul Sedayu Argosari SPPG. From the results of the internal evaluation, all processes were found to have been carried out according to procedures before the food was distributed to the beneficiaries.

According to Nanik, this misunderstanding is also influenced by the lack of understanding of the public about the characteristics of processed presto fish which indeed has an outer appearance similar to fresh fish even though it has matured.

"Therefore, we continue to encourage the strengthening of communication in the field so that every menu distributed in the MBG program is also accompanied by clear information to the beneficiaries and the school," he explained.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Bantul SPPG Sedayu Argosari Muhammad Labib Jalali Khumaidi explained that his party had also included storage instructions and consumption recommendations in every distribution of food.

"In every distribution, we always complete the food package with storage and consumption instructions so that the food can be enjoyed safely and understood by the beneficiaries," said Labib.