Food poisoning incidents linked to the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program have prompted academics at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to call for a comprehensive evaluation of the program’s governance. The issue has drawn attention due to its implications for public safety and fairness for program beneficiaries. Through an interdisciplinary approach, UGM researchers and lecturers emphasized the need for robust oversight to ensure that the program’s objectives remain aligned with the national nutrition improvement agenda.
The call was raised during a webinar titled “Food Poisoning in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) Program: Governance and Accountability from Legal, Social, and Economic Perspectives”, organized by the UGM Center for Tropical Medicine (PKT UGM) in collaboration with the Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Population Health of the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK UGM), the UGM Alumni Family (KAGAMA), and the Sambatan Jogja Community (SONJO), on Saturday, Oct. 25.
Director of PKT UGM, Dr. Citra Indriani, emphasized that implementing the MBG program requires a management system that not only focuses on distributing nutritious meals but also ensures safety and accountability.
She noted that synergy is needed between planning, procurement, distribution, and accountability mechanisms when issues arise in the field. According to Dr. Indriani, the success of any public program depends on a system that can maintain transparency at every stage of implementation.
“MBG is not only about nutrition but also about how the system works from planning, procurement, and distribution to accountability when problems occur,” she stated.
From a legal perspective, Dr. Sri Wiyanti Eddyono from the UGM Faculty of Law (FH UGM) noted that the MBG policy currently lacks adequate mechanisms for compensating victims of food poisoning.
She highlighted the importance of a clear accountability system to ensure that citizens receive legal protection in cases of negligence. Dr. Eddyono argued that social justice is not only measured by equal distribution of benefits but also by how the state enforces accountability for the consequences of public policies.
“Compensation claims can be filed through civil class action lawsuits,” she explained.
From an economic standpoint, Dr. Wisnu Setiadi Nugroho from the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM) stated that the food poisoning cases reflect weaknesses in public program governance that should have been anticipated from the outset.
He suggested that lessons learned from other countries could serve as valuable references for strengthening Indonesia’s planning and monitoring systems. By adopting best practices, the government can minimize potential risks and enhance program efficiency.
“We don’t need to repeat the same mistakes. Many countries already provide examples that can be adapted before the program is implemented nationally,” the expert remarked.
Meanwhile, Professor R. Agus Sartono from FEB UGM argued that a decentralized approach would be more effective than centralized procurement in implementing the MBG program. He emphasized the importance of empowering schools, Islamic boarding schools, and local communities to directly manage program funds based on their regional needs.
According to Professor Sartono, this model could not only reduce potential leakages but also foster greater community responsibility for program success.
“For schools or boarding schools that already have kitchens or canteens, the funds can simply be transferred directly so that they can manage them independently,” he said.
Professor Sartono also cautioned that MBG funding should not burden the education sector as a whole. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a balanced budget allocation to avoid compromising other initiatives, such as improving school infrastructure or enhancing the quality of education.
The government, he said, should balance nutritional improvement objectives with educational quality enhancement.
“We must ensure that this program does not reduce opportunities to improve other aspects of education,” he added.
The discussion, moderated by Dr. Rimawan Pradiptyo from FEB UGM, underscored that the government’s noble intention to improve children’s nutrition must be matched by transparent and accountable governance.
The speakers agreed that the implementation of the MBG program should include strong oversight, adequate legal protection, and a decentralized, community-oriented approach. A comprehensive evaluation, they concluded, is essential to ensure that the program delivers real benefits without creating new risks.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Illustration: Antara