DIGIVESTASI - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, stated that grasshoppers could be included as one of the menu options in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. According to him, the program's menu is tailored to the potential and local dietary habits of each region, including the possible utilization of grasshoppers in some areas.

"In certain regions, insects such as grasshoppers or sago worms can be utilized as a source of protein," Dadan said during the Gerindra Pira National Leadership Meeting in Jakarta, Saturday (January 25).

Dadan explained that BGN does not enforce a standardized national menu for the MBG program. Instead, it determines the nutritional composition standards that must be met. This allows each region to adapt its menu based on local resources and eating habits.

For example, in a region where eggs are commonly consumed, eggs would become a primary component of the MBG menu in that area. Similarly, regions with alternative protein sources such as fish, grasshoppers, or other local foods would include those in their menus.

"The protein content in menus across various regions greatly depends on the potential of local resources and community preferences. The MBG program is designed to be flexible to adapt to local needs," Dadan elaborated.

He also added that carbohydrate sources in the program can vary. For example, in West Halmahera, cassava and boiled bananas are more commonly consumed as substitutes for rice.

Dadan emphasized that accommodating local food diversity is a crucial aspect of the program. "The main objective of BGN is to ensure nutritional standards are met, not to enforce a single menu across Indonesia," he added.

Through this approach, BGN aims to meet the nutritional needs of the community by utilizing local food resources, including grasshoppers and other insects, as alternative sources of high-nutritional-value protein.

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