Cirebon. Facilities preparing meals for Indonesia’s free nutrition program must meet strict hygiene and safety standards or risk losing the Rp 6 million daily incentive, officials warned on Sunday.

The rule applies to kitchens managed by partner organizations, foundations, and the heads of Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG). Compliance is required to eliminate food-safety risks such as contamination and poisoning, said Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN).

“With a large incentive like this, you cannot sit back and relax,” Nanik told participants during a meeting in Cirebon, West Java. “If a blender breaks, it must be replaced immediately. It should not be paid for through contributions from the SPPG head, the nutritionist, or the accountant.”

The Rp 6 million per day incentive is a fixed payment granted only to facilities that comply with BGN’s operational standards. According to Eny Indarti, BGN’s Director of Nutrition Fulfillment Systems, the rate applies for the first two years and will later be reviewed.

However, the uniform payment has sparked complaints from operators who built large kitchens prior to the program’s expansion. Nanik said some partners argued against being treated the same as newer facilities.

“Someone complained, ‘I built a 400-square-meter kitchen in the first phase, why am I paid the same as those with smaller kitchens today?’” she noted.

To address concerns, Nanik said BGN will assign an independent appraisal team to evaluate compliance fairly. “If your kitchen does not meet the standards or scores poorly, the incentive will be cut. So, do not take this lightly,” she warned.

Among key requirements, every SPPG must secure a Sanitary Hygiene Eligibility Certificate (SLHS), a wastewater treatment installation (IPAL), and halal certification, while volunteers must receive proper food-handling training.

In Cirebon City, 15 out of 21 SPPGs already hold SLHS certification, 11 are still in process, and two have not applied. In Cirebon Regency, 106 out of 139 facilities are certified, 24 are being tested, and nine have not submitted an application.

Nanik gave kitchen operators one month to register with the local Health Office or face suspension. She praised Cirebon City Secretary Sumanto for prohibiting uncertified kitchens from preparing meals for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and toddlers. She also commended Wati Prihastuti, Head of Cirebon’s Food Safety Office, for preparing rapid food-testing training.

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