RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily suspended the operations of 1,512 Nutrition Service Providers (SPPGs) across Java to evaluate the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Commission IX, Yahya Zaini, said the policy reflects BGN’s commitment to improving the governance of the MBG program. The aim is to ensure that President Prabowo Subianto’s priority program complies with health and food safety standards.

“This firmness shows BGN’s seriousness in improving MBG governance to guarantee health, sanitation, and food safety standards, so the program can continue,” Yahya said in Jakarta on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

He explained that the temporary suspension was triggered by several factors, including the absence of a Hygiene Sanitation Certificate (SLHS), problems with Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP), and the lack of dormitory facilities.

Yahya hopes that during the suspension period, BGN will give SPPG managers the opportunity to address deficiencies. “BGN should allow the SPPGs to improve, complete the required documents, and pledge to strengthen MBG governance while meeting health, sanitation, and food safety standards,” he said.

He also proposed an integrity pact to ensure SPPG managers commit to making improvements. “If necessary, an integrity pact should be created to show the SPPGs’ commitment to self-improvement,” he added.

Furthermore, Yahya urged provincial and district health agencies not to complicate the SLHS process. He noted that many SPPG kitchen managers have complained about lengthy procedures and delays in certificate issuance. “I have asked BGN to coordinate with regional administrations to simplify the SLHS process,” he said.

Earlier, BGN’s Director of Monitoring and Supervision for Region II, Albertus Dony Dewantoro, announced the temporary suspension of 1,512 SPPGs following an evaluation of compliance with operational standards and infrastructure. “We have suspended 1,512 SPPGs as a follow-up to the evaluation of operational standards and facility requirements,” Dony said on Wednesday, March 11, 2025.

He explained that the measure is part of the restructuring of services under the MBG program to ensure that all facilities meet established health, sanitation, and governance standards.

The suspended SPPGs are spread across several provinces in Region II: 50 units in Jakarta, 62 in Banten, 350 in West Java, 54 in Central Java, 788 in East Java, and 208 in Yogyakarta. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)