Prevent Poisoning, BGN Requires Ompreng MBG to Include Consumption Time Limit

Activities of the nutrition fulfillment service unit (SPPG) in the MBG Program (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) will start next week requiring the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) to list the consumption deadline on each container or pre-packaged free nutritious meal (MBG).

This policy is implemented to strengthen food security while ensuring that food is consumed in a safe condition according to the specified time limit.

Head of BGN Sudaryono said the information on the consumption deadline on ompreng would be a marker for teachers and students. Teachers are asked to ensure that food is not consumed if it has passed the specified time limit.

"In addition, starting next week, we will impose an obligation to write on every ompreng that there is a sign or warning for food to be consumed before what time, that's it. So, this is the role of the teacher very important," said Sudaryono in his official statement in Jakarta, Sunday, August 9, quoted from Antara.

Sudaryono emphasized that the ban on consuming food that has exceeded the expiration date applies to all MBG recipients, including teachers and students.

"If the time in the ompreng is already exceeding the time stated in the ompreng, we ask that it not be consumed. Mr. / Mrs. Teacher should not consume, let alone students or students, should not consume if it has exceeded the limit of the specified time," he said.

According to Sudaryono, the MBG food that has been cooked has a safe time limit to be consumed because it does not use preservatives and is prepared as fresh food.

He explained that food in general is consumed a maximum of four hours after cooking. Therefore, setting a time limit for consumption is necessary to ensure that food remains safe.

"According to the normal presentation of food, after it is cooked, it must be eaten for a maximum of four hours because this food has no preservatives. It is true that it is cooked without being ultra-processed, so this item is really fresh, so there is a window, there is a window when it is safe to consume," he said.

In addition to listing the consumption deadline, BGN asks students not to take MBG food home. Food that has been received at school is expected to be consumed immediately at the place according to the time that has been determined.

"We ask that according to the technical instructions, all MBG parents should not be brought home. Make sure to eat one, eat there, consume it in the class at the time that is allowed, and preferably not brought home," said Sudaryono.

According to him, the habit of bringing home MBG food is one of the factors that cause cases of poisoning in a number of areas. The case was not only experienced by students, but also parents who consumed the food brought home.

"I understand this very well, I was also at an SD in Bogor yesterday that I came to, then it was divided into two, he said he remembered his mother at home. This became a case of poisoning in several points, even those who were poisoned were not only students, but parents at home were poisoned because of the food that was brought home," he said.