Indonesian nutrition chief mandates early morning kitchen presence for free meal program supervisors

Supervisors for Indonesia's Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program must now be present in the kitchen as early as 2 AM, according to a directive from Sudaryono, the chief of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

Sudaryono, known as Mas Dar, explained that this stringent requirement is a direct response to past incidents of food poisoning. These incidents often occurred when supervisors, responsible for ensuring adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), were found to be undisciplined or absent from their posts. "Some of these findings even involved the head of the SPPG not being present," he stated, emphasizing the leader's crucial role in overseeing kitchen operations.

To address this, the BGN has issued a circular mandating that the working hours for contract-based civil servant (PPPK) heads of the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) align with the kitchen's operational hours. This includes being present from 2 AM to 8 AM for morning preparations and for an additional two hours in the afternoon to receive raw ingredients. Sudaryono stressed that all SPPG heads must strictly follow MBG program SOPs, covering everything from food storage and hygiene during cooking to portioning.

Failure to comply carries severe consequences. Sudaryono warned that heads of SPPG who are absent from the kitchen for 10 consecutive days without a valid excuse will face dishonorable dismissal, drawing a parallel to teachers who would be dismissed for similar prolonged absences from their teaching duties. "If you are absent during teaching and learning hours for 10 consecutive days without explanation, the penalty is dishonorable dismissal," he said.

Beyond physical presence, the BGN is implementing a multi-layered oversight system. All central BGN staff, down to coordinators at the sub-district level, are required to participate in virtual meetings during the critical operational hours of the SPPGs. This "mandoring" process ensures accountability, with participants unable to use virtual backgrounds to hide their location. Those found absent receive warnings. So far, 66 MBG kitchen heads have been dishonorably dismissed, with non-attendance being a primary reason.