Bondowoso, E Java, Oct. 9 -- The Indonesian government is continuing to evaluate the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program that it launched on January 6, 2025, especially related to the safety aspect of the beneficiaries.

With 82.9 million beneficiaries across Indonesia targeted, MBG is set to be one of the largest programs implemented in the country. However, food poisoning cases have been a setback for the ambitious initiative.

In a press conference on September 26, the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), which is tasked with implementing MBG, reported that 70 food poisoning cases were recorded from January to September 2025, with 5,914 beneficiaries affected. As a response, the agency suspended the operations of 56 MBG kitchens that are r...