Optimizing the Free Nutritious Meal Program through SI-AMAN (Food Safety Education) to Improve Children's Health in Muhammadiyah Elementary Schools in Banyumas, Indonesia

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) is a national policy initiative aimed at improving the nutritional status of school-aged children, preventing stunting, and supporting academic achievement. However, since its implementation in 2025, the program has encountered significant challenges related to food safety. In Banyumas, a total of 6,452 food poisoning cases associated with the MBG program were reported by September 2025. Furthermore, the level of food safety knowledge among caregivers remains inadequate. A preliminary survey revealed that mothers' average knowledge score for identifying spoiled food in toddlers was only 52, indicating limited awareness of food safety practices. The SI-AMAN (Food Safety Education) training program was developed to improve food safety knowledge among students, teachers, and members of the Banyumas Branch of the Nasyiatul 'Aisyiyah (Pimpinan Cabang Nasyiatul 'Aisyiyah, PCNA). The training focuses on food safety principles, the identification of food poisoning symptoms, and appropriate first-aid management of food poisoning. One of the key strengths of the SI-AMAN program is its interactive, engaging, and practice-oriented learning approach, enabling participants to easily understand and apply knowledge related to safe food handling, early recognition of food poisoning, and appropriate management of food poisoning in children. The SI-AMAN training was conducted at Muhammadiyah Elementary School, Banyumas, on April 10, 2026, and was attended by 25 teachers and 'Aisyiyah community cadres from Banyumas. A significant improvement in participants' knowledge was observed following the training intervention. The mean knowledge score increased from 55 at baseline (pre-training) to 80 after the completion of the training program (post-training), demonstrating the effectiveness. of the SI-AMAN Food Safety Education program in enhancing participants' knowledge of food safety.