BPOM Is Now Monitoring The Free Nutritious Food Program

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the Free Nutritious Food (MBG) program. The signing took place at the BPOM office in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta, on Thursday, January 23, 2025. With this agreement, BPOM will participate in the implementation of the free nutritious meals initiative. During the event, BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated that this MoU serves as a legal foundation for collaboration between the two agencies in the MBG program. He added, "We will formalize the MoU, providing a legal basis for BPOM to work together."

This MoU allows BPOM to fully support BGN in executing the MBG program. Taruna mentioned that this commitment has been in the works for a long time, even since he was part of the expert team for the Prabowo-Gibran National Winning Team. "We have recognized the urgent need for free nutritious food. Current data shows that 21.6 percent of our children are experiencing stunting," he noted. Meanwhile, BGN Head Dadang Hindayana pointed out that the collaboration between BGN and BPOM has existed informally for a long time, with many BPOM professionals assisting BGN in the free meal program.

Now, BPOM can engage in a formal partnership due to its strong track record in hygiene assessment and evaluation. "BPOM's involvement is crucial," Dadang emphasized. The MoU outlines 11 areas of cooperation between BPOM and BGN, including developing guidelines for food safety risk mitigation, supporting nutrition service units, monitoring food safety in production facilities, testing MBG food products, overseeing food safety in supply chains, enhancing the skills of food handlers, and improving food laboratory capacity. Follow-up on monitoring nutritious eating. Enhance the skills and abilities of human resources. Empower community participation through communication and information. Exchange data and information.

Tag: BPOM Free Nutritious Food Program MBG