Jakarta, March 9 -- Indonesia's National Nutrition Agency (BGN) clarified on Monday that the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program is designed to cover only about one-third of recipients' daily nutritional needs.

"It should be noted that the MBG is not designed to fully meet daily nutritional needs," BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang said in Jakarta on Monday.

She made the statement in response to public concerns that the nutritional value of MBG menus falls below recommended levels.

Deyang explained that MBG menus are tailored to the energy, protein, carbohydrate, and micronutrient requirements of different recipient groups.

She said the program also aims to encourage the habit of consuming healthy and nutritious food as part of e...