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| Reevaluating the free nutritious program. Pict Illustration by Flickr. |
“When the Indonesian government launched the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, it was envisioned as a solution to child malnutrition. However, for 40 students in Sukoharjo, Central Java, the reality was far from ideal: stomach pain, nausea, and a rushed trip to the hospital—all from a meal meant to nourish them.”
In early 2025, around 40 students in Sukoharjo, Central Java, fell ill after consuming meals provided under the Makan Bergizi Gratis (MBG) program. The suspected cause? Undercooked food served as part of the government’s ambitious initiative to provide free nutritious meals to all schoolchildren. While ensuring proper nutrition for students is a commendable goal, this incident highlights fundamental flaws in the program’s execution—ranging from unclear targeting to food safety concerns and budget inefficiencies.
The government argues that MBG ensures equitable access to food across socioeconomic classes, particularly for students from middle-class backgrounds who may not qualify for targeted welfare. However, in practice, this universality comes at the cost of efficiency and effectiveness. If the primary goal is to address malnutrition, why are we feeding all children indiscriminately? The current implementation includes every student from elementary to high school, regardless of their nutritional status. This blanket approach dilutes the program’s impact, diverting resources away from children who genuinely suffer from malnutrition. Instead of ensuring that vulnerable children receive sufficient nutrition, the program stretches its budget thin, providing meals to those who may not need them in the first place.
Safety and Budget Concerns
Food safety is another pressing issue. Reports of food poisoning in several schools highlight weaknesses in supervision and quality control. While some may argue that such cases constitute only a small percentage of the overall implementation, treating human lives as mere statistics is both ethically questionable and politically irresponsible. Any policy that directly affects public health should be held to the highest safety standards.
Budget allocation is equally problematic. The government sets a price of IDR 10,000 per meal, yet only IDR 7,500–8,000 reaches catering providers. Given ingredient, labor, and distribution costs, this forces caterers to cut corners, compromising food quality. The result? Meals that are neither fulfilling nor nutritious, undermining the very essence of the program.
Another issue is the quality of food provided during Ramadan. Instead of distributing balanced meals, many schools received ultra-processed foods (UPF), such as biscuits and boxed milk, high in sugar but lacking essential nutrients. This raises doubts about whether MBG truly addresses children's dietary needs or simply fulfills distribution quotas. During a month when proper nutrition is especially crucial for students fasting during the day, the reliance on UPF further undermines the program’s goals.
Learning from Global Best Practices
Other countries have taken better approaches. Brazil’s Bolsa Família program provides direct financial aid to low-income families, allowing them to purchase nutritious food. Similarly, the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) ensures continuous access to proper nutrition rather than relying on a single state-provided meal. These programs emphasize household-level food security rather than school-based meals, giving families more flexibility in fulfilling their children’s dietary needs.
From a public policy perspective, MBG is a case of universal versus targeted welfare policies. Universal programs, like MBG, aim for broad coverage but often at the expense of efficiency. Targeted policies direct resources to those who need them most, maximizing impact. Given Indonesia’s limited budget, a targeted approach focusing on low-income families or malnourished children would be more effective.
The nutritional effectiveness of MBG meals remains questionable. How many calories, fiber, and micronutrients does each meal provide? If the answer falls short, MBG cannot realistically meet its goals. Redirecting funds to direct food assistance for underprivileged families would be more sustainable, ensuring balanced nutrition across all meals. With household-based support, children would have access to better-quality food at all times, not just at school.
Aligning MBG with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Indonesia has committed to achieving SDG 2: Zero Hunger and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. While MBG aims to contribute to these goals, inefficiencies limit its impact. The failure to provide high-quality meals contradicts SDG 2’s emphasis on food security, while food safety issues undermine SDG 3’s objective of ensuring public health.
A better approach would be targeted nutrition interventions that prioritize vulnerable children. Programs that empower families—such as food vouchers or conditional cash transfers—have proven more effective in improving long-term health outcomes. Strengthening food quality regulations and enhancing monitoring mechanisms would also support Indonesia’s SDG commitments. Moreover, aligning MBG with existing social welfare programs would create a more cohesive and sustainable strategy, preventing unnecessary duplication of resources.
The Way Forward
MBG requires a strategic revision. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, the government should prioritize children with malnutrition or those from low-income households. By narrowing the target, the budget could provide higher-quality meals and reduce food safety risks.
Additionally, stricter quality control measures must be implemented. Ensuring that providers adhere to health standards should not be an afterthought but an integral part of the program. Routine inspections, stringent supplier requirements, and transparency in meal preparation should be mandatory to prevent further food safety incidents.
Rather than continuing an inefficient mass meal program, Indonesia should redirect funding to direct food assistance for vulnerable families. This would better align with SDG 2 and SDG 3, ensuring that every child receives the nutrition they need—not just at school but throughout their daily lives. Combining MBG with other poverty alleviation measures would provide long-term food security rather than a temporary, inadequate fix.
A well-intended policy is not necessarily a well-executed one. Without clear objectives and sound implementation, MBG risks becoming another ambitious yet ineffective program. If a program fails to nourish those most in need, then it is not solving a crisis—it is merely feeding a statistic.
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