BGN to require meal-tray consumption labels starting next week
The free meals must be eaten within four hours of cooking, and students are told not to take leftovers home.
Badan Gizi Nasional will require Satuan Pelayanan Pemenuhan Gizi to include a consumption deadline on every Makan Bergizi Gratis tray starting next week. BGN head Sudaryono said the label is intended to let teachers and students know how long the food remains safe to eat. He stressed that MBG meals past the time marked on the label must not be consumed, whether by students or teachers. According to BGN, MBG meals are fresh food without preservatives, so the safe limit is generally no more than four hours after cooking. BGN also asked that the food not be taken home from school, saying the practice has contributed to a number of poisoning cases, including among parents who ate their children's portions at home. BGN said food safety monitoring will be tightened from SPPG kitchens to schools.