TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana, emphasized the agency's goal of eliminating food poisoning incidents related to the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program following a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto in Hambalang, Bogor, West Java, on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
"So we can work more enthusiastically, faster, and carefully, and our target is zero accidents or no cases of poisoning in the field," Dadan stated in a release quoted from the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
He expressed hope that the meeting would boost the morale of all BGN employees and its development pioneer scholar (SPPI) employees in their field operations.
According to Dadan, President Prabowo urged the BGN to operate with greater meticulousness and care, highlighting the MBG program's strategic importance as an investment in future human resources. "This program is highly risky in its implementation. Therefore, the SPPI, being on the front lines, must work more meticulously, more carefully, and always be enthusiastic. The President has assured that their welfare will be considered," he said.
Since its implementation, the MBG program has faced several food poisoning incidents across various regions. The most recent occurred at the State Elementary School (SDN) 33 Kasipute in Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. Dozens of students experienced nausea and vomiting after detecting a fishy odor from the MBG food package, which contained rice, fried chicken, fried tofu, and vegetable soup. School principal Santi Jamal attributed the unpleasant smell to stale crispy chicken. Police reported that 53 out of 1,026 food packages were not fresh.
Two days prior, on Monday, April 21, 2025, a similar incident affected 78 students from State Islamic High School (MAN) 1 and Junior High School (SMP) PGRI 1 in Cianjur Regency, West Java. This incident was classified as an Extraordinary Event (KLB) by the local government after a total of 176 residents were affected by food consumed at a local celebration.
In East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, 29 students from Catholic Elementary School (SD Katolik) Andaluri also exhibited poisoning symptoms after eating MBG food on February 18, 2025, reporting nausea and vomiting that required medical attention.
A similar incident occurred at State Elementary School (SDN) Dukuh 03 in Sukoharjo, Central Java, on January 16, 2025, where ten out of approximately 200 students who received MBG packages complained of stomach pain and nausea. School principal Lilik Kurniasih noted that the local Community Health Center promptly addressed the situation, and no students required hospitalization.
Dinda Shabrina contributed to the writing of this article.
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