Health Experts Suggest Free Nutritious Food Should Not Be Taken Home, Here's Why

Kapanlagi.com - The Free Nutritious Food (MBG) program initiated by the government serves as a solution to ensure every child receives optimal nutrition every day.

In the view of Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, a leading health expert, it is highly recommended that the food in this MBG program be consumed on-site and not taken home. Why is that? Because if the food is not handled properly after being taken home, the risk of contamination and deterioration of food quality can increase, leading to potential poisoning.

This concept has actually been implemented in several countries, one of which is Japan, where leftover food that is not consumed must not be taken home. Summarized by Kapanlagi.com from various sources on Friday (21/2/2025), here is the complete explanation.

1. Why Food from MBG Should Not Be Taken Home?

The prohibition against taking food home from the MBG program is not just a rule, but an important step to protect health, especially for children who are more vulnerable.

According to Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, food that is left out for too long or stored improperly can change in quality and even become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. The risk of food poisoning looms if the food is consumed in unsanitary conditions.

In addition to health aspects, there are also considerations of distribution efficiency; if food is taken home, it may not be consumed by the recipient or may even be shared with people who are not part of the program's target audience. All of this has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of the program in meeting the nutritional needs of children, who are the top priority.

2. A Monitoring System in Schools is Necessary to Ensure Food Safety

In order for the Nutritious Food Program (MBG) to effectively achieve its goals, strict supervision from the school is very important. This supervision not only includes the provision of food to students but also how they consume it and ensuring that the food is not taken home.

"Remember, this is a nutritious food program, it requires anticipation to avoid potential unwanted issues that could become counterproductive," said the Director of Communicable Diseases at WHO Southeast Asia Regional Office 2018-2020, Prof. Tjandra Yoga Aditama, on Friday (21/2/2025), as quoted by ANTARA.

He emphasized the importance of implementing food safety concepts throughout the entire process of providing MBG food, from the selection of raw materials to the presentation on the students' dining table.

Not only that, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) also plays an active role in ensuring that the food served has undergone strict food safety testing, as well as implementing risk mitigation strategies to guarantee that every bite enjoyed by the children is truly safe and nutritious.

3. Lessons from Japan: Why School Lunches Should Not Be Taken Home?

Japan has established strict rules regarding food consumption in schools, where leftover food must be properly managed and is prohibited from being taken home. This policy aims to maintain food safety and hygiene standards, ensuring that children enjoy their meals in the best conditions.

By preventing food from being taken home without proper storage, Japan also protects students' health from potential issues that could arise due to a decline in food quality.

Additionally, this policy serves as a valuable lesson for children about the importance of appreciating food and not wasting it, so in many schools, they are taught to finish every bite to reduce waste.

4. BPOM and Food Safety Supervision in the MBG Program

In an effort to ensure food safety for students, BPOM plays a crucial role in the MBG program by implementing careful risk mitigation and communication measures. The supervision covers every stage of production, from the selection of raw materials to serving in schools, ensuring that every plate served is truly safe for consumption.

With these strict standards, the risk of contamination can be minimized, allowing children to receive optimal nutrition without worrying about health issues. The government continues to conduct thorough evaluations of the MBG program, ensuring that from distribution to consumption, everything adheres to the established standards.

With a firmer approach to food safety, the MBG program is expected to provide maximum benefits for the next generation of the Indonesian nation.

5. FAQ

1. Why can't MBG food be taken home?

Because food that is not consumed immediately can become contaminated, decrease in nutritional quality, and pose a risk of food poisoning.

2. Who oversees food safety in the MBG program?

The National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) is responsible for overseeing food safety from raw materials to the production process and distribution to schools.

3. Is this rule also applied in other countries?

Yes, in Japan, school food cannot be taken home to maintain cleanliness and food safety for students.

(kpl/rmt)