Jakarta, Nov. 2 -- Indonesian nutritionist Mochammad Rizal has called for a thorough evaluation of the government's Free Nutritional Meal Program (MBG) to ensure it delivers long-term health and educational benefits for children.

Rizal said the program, designed to improve children's nutrition and support Golden Indonesia 2045, must be regularly assessed to keep its outcomes effective.

"In the short term, we'll see better nutrition and lower anemia rates. Healthy children today will form a generation free from stunting," Rizal said on Sunday.

Beyond health improvements, MBG is also expected to boost students' learning motivation and strengthen local food supply chains, benefiting farmers, fishermen and catering businesses.

However, Ri...