On February 28, 2025, the National Nutrition Agency (Badan Gizi Nasional) announced plans to evaluate food service heads after raw chicken was discovered in the Free Nutritious Meals (Makan Bergizi Gratis) program in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara. How can we ensure food safety in large-scale meal preparations?
- BGN to evaluate food service heads
- Raw chicken found in free meal program
- Cooking for large groups requires experience
- New kitchens face higher cooking errors
- Gradual increase in cooking portion sizes
- Nutritionists assigned to ensure food quality
Improving Food Safety in Indonesia‘s Free Nutritious Meals Program
What steps are being taken to enhance food safety in Indonesia? The recent incident with raw chicken highlights the need for better training and quality control in large-scale meal preparation. The National Nutrition Agency is committed to ensuring that nutritious meals are safe for children.
Key Changes to Enhance Meal Quality and Safety
The National Nutrition Agency is implementing several changes to improve the quality of meals served in schools. These changes include:
- Daily evaluations of food service heads.
- Training for staff on preparing large quantities safely.
- Testing meals before distribution to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Assigning nutritionists to oversee meal preparation at each service unit.
Training Staff for Large-Scale Meal Preparation
Many staff members at food service units are not accustomed to cooking for large groups. This lack of experience can lead to mistakes, such as serving undercooked food. To address this, the agency is encouraging new staff to start with smaller batches before progressing to larger quantities. For instance, they will begin by cooking for 150 people before scaling up to 3,000.
The Role of Nutritionists in Meal Quality Control
Nutritionists play a crucial role in ensuring that meals meet safety and quality standards. By placing a nutritionist in each food service unit, the agency aims to maintain high standards and prevent future incidents. This oversight will help ensure that meals are not only nutritious but also safe for consumption.
In conclusion, the National Nutrition Agency is taking significant steps to enhance food safety in Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meals program. By focusing on training and quality control, they aim to provide safe and healthy meals for children across the country.
