Head of BGN: MBG Should Not Be Consumed for More than Four Hours

JAKARTA - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Sudaryono reminded that Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) should not be taken home by students and consumed for more than four hours.

This was conveyed by Sudaryono, who learned from the MBG poisoning case that had just occurred in Papua and Semarang, Central Java, so he emphasized again the zero tolerance target for this fatal incident.

"All shipments must be ensured from cooked food to be consumed according to standards, not more than four hours, there must be a consumption time limit or best before, we want to strengthen education," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, August 6.

He emphasized that BGN set zero tolerance for cases of MBG poisoning to ensure that operational standards and procedures are carried out. In addition, school administrators and teachers are asked to educate students not to take MBG home and immediately consume it at school.

Sudaryono also asked that MBG could make teachers eat with students, not only to set an example of queuing, washing hands, arranging ompreng, praying, and being grateful, but also to provide nutrition education.

"In addition, teachers also remind that food should not be taken home, because MBG does not use preservatives, if it is not eaten immediately, especially in hot areas, food will be damaged faster due to bacterial growth, we have talked to the Minister of Basic and Secondary Education so that this becomes an important educational material in all schools," he said.

Sudaryono also emphasized that compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in all Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) is the key to food safety of the MBG Program.

This step is a follow-up to the results of the evaluation of a number of food safety incidents that occurred during the implementation of the program.

Sudaryono ensured that reports of suspected poisoning were always followed up through the temporary suspension (suspend) of the SPPG concerned, testing of food samples, and investigations to find out the cause.

"Every incident, one kitchen is suspended, then the food is checked in the laboratory by the Health Office under the supervision of the Ministry of Health. We will find out, then we will remove the head of the SPPG, we will investigate the poisoning because of what," said Sudaryono.