Jakarta. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has reopened registration for food service partners (SPPG) in its Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, following a nearly month-long suspension triggered by widespread foodborne illness incidents.

The registration portal at Mitra.BGN.go.id officially resumed on Tuesday, BGN head Dadan Hindayana confirmed. The pause, which began in late August, allowed authorities to verify applicants’ operational readiness and ensure compliance with food safety standards. “Registration is open until the quota is full,” Dadan said, adding that all applicants must undergo verification and feasibility testing before being appointed.

The MBG program, a flagship initiative of President Prabowo Subianto, provides operational funds of Rp400–450 million ($25,000–28,000) per food provider. Each provider is assigned two officials to oversee financial management, with disbursements handled via state-owned bank accounts.

Despite these measures, food safety remains the program’s most pressing concern. Recent weeks have seen thousands of beneficiaries affected by foodborne illnesses, including vomiting, nausea, and dizziness. By Sept. 22, official figures ranged from 4,711 to 5,360 reported cases across different agencies, with the most recent outbreak affecting 301 students in Cipongkor District, West Bandung Regency.

The Presidential Staff Office revealed that only 312 of 1,379 service providers fully complied with food safety protocols. Moreover, just 34 of 8,583 providers had secured official hygiene and sanitation certification from the Health Ministry. Many outbreaks occurred at newly operational SPPGs or older units experiencing supplier changes.

To strengthen oversight, BGN has appointed a deputy head for food safety and will establish a dedicated investigation team and prevention task force. Authorities have also called on community health centers to conduct regular inspections to prevent further incidents.

Despite the challenges, the government continues to expand the program, which has disbursed Rp13 trillion this year, reaching 22.7 million beneficiaries. Officials aim to extend coverage to 82.9 million Indonesians by the end of 2025, underscoring the initiative’s central role in national nutrition and food security policy.

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