Jakarta, Sept. 27 -- Deputy Chair of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR) Putih Sari urged the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) to thoroughly evaluate the governance of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program.

This is deemed crucial following the recent increase in food poisoning cases linked to MBG in several regions, with many students having to receive medical treatment.

"The large benefits of this program must be maintained and not undermined by bad governance in the field," she said in a statement here on Saturday.

To this end, she asked the BGN to evaluate in detail the program's implementation thoroughly and improve food safety standards and contamination prevention, adding that nutritional balance in the food prov...