BGN Will Continue To Use Minimum Sugar UPF Products On MBG Menu, Especially UHT Milk

Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana/captured the screen via ANTARA

JAKARTA - Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Dadan Hindayana stated that his party will continue to include ultraprocessed foods (UPF) in the Free Nutrition Food (MBG) menu. Because according to him, UPF products are still relatively safe and hygienic.

This was conveyed by Dadan in a BGN working meeting with Commission IX of the DPR with the Ministry of Health and BPOM at the DPR building, Senayan, Jakarta, Wednesday, October 1.

"Regarding ultra high-processing (UHP) products, we need to convey that this is a long journey of science food technology, so why was it then taken out because it was to create hygienic and safe foods," said Dadan.

Dadan said, BGN issued UPF products that contain a lot of sugar. However, such as UHT milk that does not taste, according to him, it is still safe to consume and enter in the MBG menu.

"Indeed, the criticism is that there are a lot of foods that contain a lot of sugar. But if we use UHP producers, such as UHT milk with plain taste, not sugar, I don't think we will limit it because when we want to deliver the safest milk is UHT products," said Dadan.

Dadan assessed that UHP is a part of technology. According to him, these products should be appreciated for scientific development.

"Where food technology experts create these products in the long term so that they develop very hygienic processing and it will produce food that is safer for consumption," said Dadan.

Dadan also stated BGN's commitment not to use UPF products in MBG. Dadan ensured that BGN will avoid some products that contain a lot of sugar.

"But for some products that can be accepted like UHT milk, which I don't think is plain, I don't think it limits that. Because after all it is a food processing technology that is good for humans and safe to consume and not in the short term," he explained.

"We will of course prioritize MSME products and especially if they are produced hygienically," continued Dadan.