Formula Milk

National Nutrition Agency Clarifies Stance on Formula Milk in Free Nutritious Meal Program

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, has publicly addressed concerns regarding the inclusion of formula milk within the government’s free nutritious meal (MBG) program. The clarification follows an open letter issued by the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) on May 21, 2026, which urged the agency to halt the use of formula milk for infants.

In response, Dadan stated on Friday, May 22, 2026, that there is no intervention involving infant formula for children aged 0-6 months. “For infants aged 0-6 months, there is no intervention of formula milk in the MBG program. MBG does not provide any option for infant formula,” Dadan said.

Regulatory Framework and Medical Criteria

According to the BGN, the agency’s policies are governed by Health Law Number 17 of 2023, Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024 concerning Health and World Health Organization (WHO) principles regarding the protection of exclusive breastfeeding. Dadan emphasized that while formula milk is not offered for infants under six months, it may be utilized for older children under specific, restricted conditions:

• Advanced formula: Available for infants aged 6-12 months.
• Growth formula: Available for children aged 12-36 months.

Dadan clarified that these products are not intended as breast milk substitutes, nor are they for mass or free distribution. Instead, they are categorized as specific nutritional intervention options. “This means it is not a substitute for breast milk, not for free or mass distribution, not for promoting the milk industry, and only given in specific cases and times in accordance with applicable regulations,” he stated. Such usage requires strict medical criteria and recommendations from healthcare professionals or doctors.

Concerns Over Implementation

The IDAI’s open letter, published via their Instagram account, expressed concern that large-scale distribution of formula milk could inadvertently discourage breastfeeding. The association raised alarms regarding the potential for such policies to be implemented without proper medical justification or individual doctor examinations.

While the BGN maintains that formula is provided “only if needed,” technical instructions—specifically the Deputy Director for Systems and Governance’s decision number 004/05/03/SK.04/02/2025—do outline standards for preparation, such as the requirement to boil water and milk powder at a minimum temperature of 70 degrees Celsius.

Next Steps for Policy Alignment

To address concerns regarding potential ambiguity, the BGN is working alongside the Ministry of Health, the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency, and the National Development Planning Agency to harmonize regulations governing nutritional interventions in the MBG program. The government is expected to revise several policies to ensure consistency and prevent multiple interpretations of the program’s guidelines moving forward.

Pediatricians Challenge Formula Distribution in Indonesia’s Free Nutritious Meal Program

The Indonesian Pediatric Association (IDAI) has formally intervened in the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program, issuing an open letter to the head of the National Nutrition Body (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, and other institutional leaders. The letter, authored by members of the IDAI Task Force for Breastfeeding and Nutritional Disorders, expresses significant concern over the inclusion of formula milk in the national initiative.

Concerns Over Breastfeeding and Regulation

In a statement released on Thursday, May 21, 2026, the association argued that the mass distribution of formula milk risks undermining breastfeeding practices across the country. IDAI emphasized that the program, as currently structured, operates without the necessary prior medical examinations or specific clinical indications required for such interventions.

The pediatricians pointed to existing legal frameworks, specifically Law Number 17 of 2023 and Government Regulation Number 28 of 2024, which mandate that formula milk be administered only upon a doctor’s recommendation. The association highlighted that the Ministry of Health had previously issued warnings to the BGN regarding this distribution policy, documented in circular letters numbered GM.01.02/B.III/52/2025 and GM 01.04/B/41/2025.

“We hope that every nutritional policy genuinely prioritizes children; the state must step in as a protector, not act as a conduit for industries looking to lower the nutritional standards of the nation’s youth,” the association stated.

Official Response from the National Nutrition Body

Dadan Hindayana, head of the BGN, defended the program’s operations during an interview on May 21, 2026. He clarified that the distribution of formula milk is strictly contingent upon formal recommendations from local midwives or community health centers. According to Hindayana, if medical personnel do not provide approval, no formula milk is distributed to infants or children.

Hindayana further noted that the BGN excludes standard infant formula from its distribution pipeline to prioritize breastfeeding. He explained that the technical guidelines focus on three tiers—infant, follow-up, and growth formulas—with the latter two intended only as targeted options for those with documented medical needs. He suggested that the concerns raised by IDAI may stem from a lack of thorough review regarding the agency’s existing technical guidelines and circulars.

Path Forward and Implications

The conflict highlights a tension between national nutritional goals and medical standards. To resolve the dispute, IDAI has urged the BGN to harmonize its public health policies with those of the Ministry of Health and to prioritize local food self-sufficiency over the use of formula milk.

A possible next step involves a formal synchronization of technical guidelines governing national nutritional interventions to ensure compliance with existing laws. If the BGN and the Ministry of Health do not reach a consensus, the program could face continued scrutiny from medical professionals regarding its impact on infant health standards. Analysts may observe whether the BGN adjusts its communication or operational procedures to better align with the medical community’s recommendations for protecting infant nutrition.