TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dadan Hindayana, Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), acknowledged that the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal program remains uneven.
He explained that this disparity has led to President Prabowo Subianto feeling upset during his visits to various regions.
"Whenever the President visits the regions, he feels upset because there are more areas that have not received the program than those that have. That's why we need acceleration," said Dadan during an interview at the office of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment in Jakarta on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Zulkifli Hasan highlighted that the Free Nutritious Meal program is one of President Prabowo’s flagship initiatives.
He acknowledged that although some regions have begun receiving the meals, many others have yet to benefit.
Zulhas said the President frequently hears complaints from residents in underdeveloped, remote, and outermost areas that remain excluded from the program. “It’s a heavy burden for the President. That’s why accelerating the program is essential to serve the people,” he stated.
Earlier, President Prabowo also addressed several incidents of food poisoning among recipients of the Free Nutritious Meal program. He explained that the program’s failure rate due to food poisoning is minimal.
"It can be said that 200 people suffered from food poisoning. That's 200 out of over three million recipients, if I'm not mistaken, which is 0.005 percent. This means its success rate is 99.99 percent," Prabowo said during a Full Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office in Jakarta on Monday, May 5, 2025.
The former Defense Minister assured that food processing in the kitchens or the Nutritious Meal Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) strictly follows cleanliness and safety protocols. He mentioned that kitchen workers are equipped with personal protective equipment (PPE).
Prabowo pointed out that various factors contribute to food poisoning incidents under the program, including regional eating habits. For example, some children are not accustomed to eating with a spoon.
Additionally, the President observed that many students still lack the habit of washing their hands. He believes that such simple hygiene practices can significantly reduce food poisoning incidents.
Hendrik Yaputra contributed to the writing of this article.
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