Indonesia’s school meals teach nutrition beyond just food
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Indonesia’s National Nutrition Agency (BGN) removed sweetened condensed milk from the menu of its free school meal program, aiming to educate children and families about healthy eating.
The BGN explained that while not inherently unsafe, sweetened condensed milk is intended as a food ingredient or topping, not a primary source of nutrition for growing children. Clinical nutrition specialist Dr.
Osa Endiputra emphasized that the product contains significantly more sugar than the nutrients needed for a child’s development, and equating it with milk can lead to poor dietary habits. The agency hopes the program will improve nutritional literacy by teaching people to understand food labels, check sugar content, and recognize the intended use of different products.
Experts point out that simply feeling full doesn’t guarantee adequate nutrition, as children need a variety of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats for proper growth. Consuming too much sugar can lead to health problems like obesity and tooth decay, while also creating a preference for overly sweet foods. The BGN views the free meal program as a chance to build better eating habits, but stresses that families have the most significant impact on a child’s lifelong dietary choices.
They believe that education about balanced nutrition, for both children and adults, is crucial for long-term success, and that understanding why certain foods are healthy is more effective than simply restricting access to others.
