Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency has temporarily suspended 1,999 kitchens operating under the country’s free meals programme after they failed to register for mandatory hygiene and sanitation checks. As of 7th September, 27,022 kitchens were still distributing free meals nationwide.
Agency chief Sudaryono, who uses only one name, said on Monday (7th September) that the closures were due to kitchens failing to register with the health ministry for the required hygiene and sanitation certification. “The hygiene and sanitation certification is a mandatory requirement for operating kitchens that provide the free meals programme,” he said, adding that compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards is non-negotiable to ensure food quality and the safety of recipients.
The agency said it would investigate the suspended kitchens before deciding on further action. It continues to urge all operators to complete the mandatory certification process without delay.
The free meals initiative, known as the Free Nutritious Meals programme or MBG, is a flagship policy of President Prabowo Subianto. Launched in January 2025, it aims to provide daily nutritious meals to schoolchildren, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups to tackle child malnutrition and stunting. The programme expanded rapidly, at one point operating close to 28,000 kitchens and serving tens of millions of people.
Since its launch, however, the scheme has faced repeated challenges, including allegations of corruption, multiple changes in leadership at the National Nutrition Agency, and a series of food poisoning outbreaks. In June 2026, the agency’s then head, Dadan Hindayana, was arrested amid corruption probes, prompting further leadership turnover. Sudaryono took charge more recently and has prioritised tighter enforcement of standards.
Health ministry surveillance data from early September confirmed that more than 50,000 people have been affected across hundreds of cases in dozens of provinces since the programme began. The figure was also cited by lawmaker Charles Honoris, who oversees the initiative, based on health department data as of 1st September.
Between 1st and 3rd September alone, outbreaks affected nearly 2,000 people, mostly students and teachers, in provinces including Central Java, East Java, West Sumatra, Aceh, and South Sulawesi. No deaths were reported in those incidents.
The agency has attributed most cases to improper food storage and late delivery of meals, and promised to handle them “seriously”.
The latest suspensions follow a pattern of tighter oversight under Sudaryono’s leadership. Earlier in 2026, more than 800 kitchens were permanently closed for similar hygiene, sanitation, and operational violations, with payments halted in those cases. This marked a stricter approach than the current temporary suspensions.
The government has also cut the programme’s budget, scaling back expansion plans that once included thousands of additional kitchens, citing fiscal pressures and governance concerns.
Sudaryono said the latest suspensions form part of ongoing efforts to restore public confidence and prioritise food safety. Beneficiaries in affected areas are expected to continue receiving meals through nearby compliant kitchens where possible.
The scale of the free meals programme makes consistent oversight particularly demanding across Indonesia’s vast archipelago. Officials have repeatedly stated that strict adherence to hygiene rules remains essential to protect the millions of children and others who rely on the daily meals. Investigations into the 1,999 suspended kitchens are under way, with decisions on possible permanent closures or corrective measures expected in the coming period.
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