Novali Panji Nugroho, Jakarta – Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency is finalizing a presidential regulation on the governance of Free Nutritious Meal (MBG).
One of the key provisions in the regulation requires nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs) to use gallon water bottles for cooking.
Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency, explained that kitchens producing free meals must use gallon water bottles, particularly in SPPGs that do not yet have access to quality water.
"We now require free meals to be cooked using gallon water bottles," she said during a discussion on priority programs at the Antara Heritage Center in Central Jakarta on Thursday, October 23, 2025.
According to Nanik, several operational SPPG kitchens still lack safe water. The use of gallon water bottles is intended as a preventive measure to ensure food safety.
"Some cases of food poisoning from free meals have been linked to the water used in cooking. Hopefully, this requirement will reduce such incidents," she added.
The new regulation on the management of free meals is expected to be completed soon, pending the signature of President Prabowo Subianto.
"Because there are updates and improvements, we have included new provisions and kept revising the regulation," Nanik said.
The regulation will also set cooking times, prohibiting SPPG kitchens from preparing meals before midnight. All kitchens are required to cook MBG menus starting at 02:00 AM.
Previously, Nanik stated that meal preparation should follow the distribution schedule for each level of school, from early childhood education (PAUD), elementary (SD), junior high (SMP), to senior high (SMA).
"For example, if the first batch is delivered in the morning for kindergarten children, it is cooked accordingly. If the next batch is for elementary students, it is cooked later. This schedule is included in the MBG Governance Regulation," she explained.
– Ervana Trikarinaputri contributed to the writing of this article.