Government Moves Quickly to Shut Down Troubled Nutrition Centers, Orders Overhaul of Free Meals Program

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JAKARTA, investortrust.id — The government has moved swiftly to shut down troubled Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units, known as SPPG, following repeated food poisoning incidents linked to the flagship Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

The decision was made during an urgent coordination meeting on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, after President Prabowo Subianto ordered immediate corrective measures.

The president had summoned key ministers and agency heads on Saturday evening, soon after returning from a state visit to four countries.

“The president gave direct instructions that for the government, the safety of children is the highest priority. This is not merely about numbers but the survival of our future generation,” said Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan.

Zulkifli, who chaired Sunday’s coordination meeting at the Ministry of Health, said that all SPPG facilities found to have violated standards would be closed temporarily for evaluation and investigation.

“SPPG that are problematic will be shut down pending evaluation and investigation. This covers food quality, kitchen staff competence, sterilization of utensils, and sanitation, especially water and waste management. The standards must apply nationwide, not just in affected areas,” he stressed.

The coordination meeting brought together a broad range of ministries and institutions, including the State Secretariat, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Secondary Affairs, Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), and West Java Health Agency.

Interior Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian announced that his office will convene all governors, regents, mayors, and senior local officials in an online meeting on Monday to ensure rapid alignment.

“Tomorrow the Ministry of Home Affairs will hold a Zoom meeting with regional leaders, health and education chiefs, and regional secretaries,” Tito said.

The meeting will also be attended by Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin, BGN Chief Dadan Hindayana, and Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Fajar Riza Ul Haq.

The Ministry of Health is introducing a strict certification system. Minister Budi said every SPPG must obtain a Hygiene and Sanitation Eligibility Certificate (SLHS) within one month.

“We hope all SPPG can complete certification within one month. Together with BGN, we will control everything from food selection to processing and serving so that poisoning cases will not be repeated,” Budi said.

BGN data show that as of September, 9,615 SPPG were operating nationwide, serving more than 31 million beneficiaries.

Since January, there have been 71 recorded food poisoning incidents linked to MBG meals, with the largest clusters in Lampung, Bengkulu, and West Java. Many of the outbreaks involved newly established SPPG with inexperienced staff.

In Bandar Lampung, 503 children were affected, followed by 467 in Lebong, Bengkulu, 411 in West Bandung, West Java, 339 in Banggai Islands, Central Sulawesi, and 305 in Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta.

Dadan of BGN explained that the main causes were poor quality ingredients, contaminated water, and violations of standard operating procedures. He noted that most severe cases came from SPPG opened during the program’s recent expansion.

The MBG program is one of President Prabowo’s top priorities, designed to deliver free nutritious meals to students and improve child health.

The president’s latest intervention underscores both the political and public health stakes of ensuring its success. “This shows the president’s seriousness. For the government, protecting children is non-negotiable,” Zulkifli said.