Experts urge reforms in food safety, distribution, and governance as the budget soars to Rp300 trillion.
Indonesia’s flagship Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program faces mounting scrutiny after repeated mass food poisoning incidents, sparking debate over whether the initiative should continue without major reforms.
A Costly Flagship Program
The MBG program, championed by President Prabowo Subianto and Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, is set to become one of Indonesia’s most expensive social initiatives. Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati projects the budget could reach Rp300 trillion in 2026, serving 82.9 million beneficiaries through 32,000 public kitchens. For 2025, Rp71 trillion has been allocated, targeting 17.9 million children, pregnant women, and toddlers.
Repeated Food Poisoning Incidents
Despite the massive budget, food safety remains a serious concern. In August 2025, 212 students from multiple schools in Sleman, Yogyakarta, suffered poisoning symptoms after consuming MBG meals. Similar incidents occurred in May in Bogor, affecting students and teachers. National Nutrition Agency (BGN) data shows more than 10 poisoning cases have been recorded in just seven months of MBG’s operation.
Expert Warnings on Systemic Failures
Public health expert Dicky Budiman of Griffith University stresses that even a single mass food poisoning is considered a system failure. He warns that large-scale programs require robust governance, including transparent procurement, cold-chain logistics, and trained personnel. Without structural reform, he says, the growing target numbers will only heighten logistical and oversight risks.
Grace Wangge of Monash University Indonesia adds that MBG’s success should be measured not by meals distributed but by measurable improvements in nutrition and health. She calls for clear indicators and urges the government to pause and reassess the program before expanding it.
Food Safety Measures Tightened
Following a spate of incidents, BGN head Dadan Hindayana has mandated organoleptic tests — checking taste, smell, appearance, and texture — before meals are served. The agency is also shortening the cooking-to-distribution window and enforcing stricter raw material selection. Since June, BPOM has been involved in training kitchen operators, conducting inspections, and sampling MBG meals to ensure compliance with food safety standards.
Nutritionist Atik Nirwanawati from the Indonesian Nutritionists Association recommends keeping the preparation-to-consumption time under four hours and involving nutritionists in every stage, from cooking to delivery. She warns that protein-rich foods are especially vulnerable to bacterial contamination if left too long before consumption.
Balancing Costs, Benefits, and Risks
Public policy expert Achmad Nur Hidayat of UPN Veteran Jakarta argues the debate should focus not on whether MBG continues, but on whether its benefits outweigh the costs and risks. He suggests phasing expansion by prioritizing high-stunting and remote areas, using certified kitchens, and sourcing ingredients locally to support rural economies. Achmad warns that MBG’s large budget must not undermine other essential services like maternal nutrition, healthcare facilities, and school infrastructure.
With a budget rivaling major infrastructure and health spending, MBG’s future hinges on its ability to deliver safe, nutritious food without compromising quality or public trust. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, the debate reflects the challenge of scaling up social programs responsibly — where every rupiah spent must translate into healthier, more productive citizens.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Liputan6 (2025)
Keywords: Makan Bergizi Gratis, MBG, Food Safety, Public Health, Education Policy, Indonesia Government
