Cibubur, West Java, Sept. 25 -- The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has implemented a new standard operating procedure (SOP) requiring all cooks in Nutrition Fulfillment Service Units (SPPG) or Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) kitchens to hold certification from an authorized institution.

The step is made in response to recent food poisoning incidents affecting thousands of students receiving the MBG program.

"It was announced yesterday, that every kitchen cook must now be certified. Additionally, foundations (managing the SPPGs) must provide an assistant chef," BGN Deputy Head Nanik Sudaryati Deyang remarked here on Thursday.

She explained that this policy aims to strengthen monitoring, not only by BGN but also through the active involvemen...