September 4, 2026 | 05:09 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - National Nutrition Agency (BGN) Head Sudaryono acknowledged that the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) poisoning at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, was caused by staff negligence at the local Nutrition Service Provider Unit (SPPG).
In a statement issued on his official channel and quoted in Jakarta on Thursday, the BGN chief stated that preliminary investigations revealed the food was prepared at 5:00 a.m. WIB and should have been consumed before 9:00 a.m., despite a label marking 8:00 a.m. WIB that pushed the recommended consumption deadline to 10:00 a.m. WIB.
"The reality on the ground is that the food containers (ompreng), which should have been delivered before 10:00 a.m., only arrived at the school around 11:30 or 11:40 a.m., and the students consumed them after 12:00 p.m., resulting in mass poisoning at the school. This points to willful negligence. This is willful negligence, [warranting] more than just the dismissal or firing of the SPPG head. If negligence and criminal elements are identified, we are sorry, we cannot help," he said on Thursday, Sept. 3, as reported by Antara.
Sudaryono also explained that the SPPG head and the nutritionist failed to label all the food containers, tagging only a single unit. According to the Radar MBG application, the optimal window for consumption was between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. WIB
"Starting today, I am mandating a label on every single food container. I accept no excuses. Every container must carry a label. And the label must be filled in with the accurate time," he said.
The BGN head also offered his deepest apologies for the oversight at the SPPG that caused health problems for beneficiaries at the Islamic boarding school. Currently, BGN continues to tally and monitor the number of hospitalized victims to ensure they receive proper care.
"We are currently compiling data and tracking how many remain under treatment, how many have been discharged, and identifying beneficiaries who did not visit a community health center," Sudaryono said.
BGN has also issued a strict suspension against the SPPG facility in Kalitengah, Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, East Java, following the severe MBG food poisoning incident affecting 512 students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School.
"We have placed the SPPG unit in Kalitengah, Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo under a 30-day suspension. Furthermore, we have recommended the removal and replacement of the SPPG head," BGN Deputy for Monitoring and Supervision Ketut Sumedana said in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 2.
Ketut emphasized that BGN Head Sudaryono has been in intensive communication with regional authorities and the leadership of the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School to follow up on the case and prioritize the students' recovery. "We are also taking internal measures. First, we are conducting a joint investigation with the relevant health department, and we will announce the findings regarding the cause of the poisoning later," he said.
Read: Rp6 Million Daily Incentive for MBG Kitchens to Be Revised: What to Know
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Rp6 Million Daily Incentive for MBG Kitchens to Be Revised: What to Know
2 jam lalu
Indonesia plans to revise its flat Rp6 million daily incentive for MBG meal kitchens (SPPG). Why is the scheme being changed?
BGN Clarifies Social Media Buzz over Telkom Office Move
21 jam lalu
Reports surrounding BGN's plan to take over Telkom's office building have sparked widespread discussion on social media.
BGN Proposes Rp240 Trillion Budget for MBG Program in 2027
1 hari lalu
The budget for the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program has been reduced from an initial indicative ceiling of Rp270 trillion to Rp240 trillion.
BGN: 512 Students Hit by Suspected MBG Food Poisoning in East Java
2 hari lalu
BGN is probing suspected MBG food poisoning at several schools in East Java and has suspended the SPPG for 30 days.
Why Indonesia Halts Free Meal Distribution to 80 Elite Private Schools
6 hari lalu
BGN has removed 80 elite private schools from the list of recipients of the free nutritious meal (MBG) program.
How Far Along Is Indonesia's Food Spoilage Scanner for Free Meals?
8 hari lalu
Indonesia's MBG food spoilage scanner remains at the prototype stage as BGN and BRIN assess its technology, cost and potential for mass production.
Minister Zulhas: MBG Program Has Yet to Succeed
9 hari lalu
Coordinating Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) said some priority programs have not been successful, one of which is the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG).
Wildfires Shut Kalimantan Schools: Will Students Still Get Free Meals?
9 hari lalu
Some MBG kitchens have already cooked the meals for the day when it was announced that the schools are closed due to wildfires.
Why Students Are Urged Not to Take Free Nutritious Meals Home
23 hari lalu
Schoolchildren are warned not to take free nutritious meals (MBG) home to prevent food poisoning.
BGN Orders Free School Meals to Be Consumed Within Four Hours
24 hari lalu
Indonesia's nutrition agency BGN.requires MBG meals to be consumed within four hours of preparation to reduce food safety and poisoning risks.
