TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Nutrition Agency has barred ultra-processed food (UPF) from the free nutritious meal (MBG) program menu. The ban was outlined in the Circular Letter No. 3 of 2026 on the Ramadan, Eid, and Chinese New Year's MBG implementation.
The circular mentions that during Ramadan, beneficiaries will receive healthy food packages that do not use UPF manufactured products.
UPF is food made through a series of industrial processes using additives such as preservatives, colorants, and flavorings. The main purpose of this ultraprocessed food industry is to create ready-to-eat, long-lasting, and easily served products.
"Recommended menu options for packaged food include salted eggs, shredded meat floss, beef jerky, fruits, or other local specialty foods, as well as dates (optional), while still considering food safety, food quality, and nutritional standards according to the age group of the beneficiaries," said the Head of BGN Dadan Hindayana in his written statement on Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Dadan also requested that the MBG kitchens should not serve food that quickly spoils, has a spicy flavor, or has the potential to cause food safety incidents.
As for the distribution scheme, each beneficiary will receive two tote bags with different colors to facilitate identification and exchange processes.
"SPPG (public kitchen) provides two tote bags for each beneficiary with different colors, for example blue and red, in order to differentiate between the tote bag previously used and the tote bag that will be exchanged the following day," said Dadan.
Dadan stated that the free nutritious meals will not be distributed during the Eid al-Fitr holiday and the joint leave from March 18 to 24, 2026, for all target beneficiaries, including students and non-students.
Instead, distribution will be carried out earlier using healthy packaged bundling that covers several days' worth of meals delivered at once. However, Dadan emphasized that the maximum limit for received food will only last for three days.
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