January 31, 2026 | 05:11 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Dadan Hindayana, the head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), explained why food poisoning linked to the free nutritious meal (MBG) program keeps occurring. He cited at least several contributing factors, but the primary one was the lack of adherence to standard operating procedures (SOP).
"The notable incidents in January were also caused by (lack of) caution while selecting raw materials," Dadan said in a text message on Saturday, January 31, 2026.
Another possible cause, he said, could be the lack of caution in menu selection.
Dadan conveyed that the government will improve and strive to minimize cases of food poisoning in the free nutritious meal program. One of the methods to achieve this would be an accreditation and certification program for the MBG kitchens in 2026. "We believe this would eliminate or minimize prominent incidents," he said.
Currently, only 3,000 nutrition fulfillment service units (SPPGs) are undergoing accreditation and certification assessments.
Food poisoning cases linked to the MBG program increased in January, with some notable incidents affecting more than a hundred students.
In Muaro Jambi, at least 110 students from kindergarten to high school suffered from poisoning. In Kudus, Central Java, 112 students became victims. In Cikalongkulon, Cianjur, West Java, 205 students from preschool, elementary school, junior high school, as well as toddlers, became victims of free meal-related food poisoning.
Deden Abdul Aziz and Jamal Abdun Nashr contributed to the writing of this article.
Read: BGN Welcomes Criticism of Free Nutritious Meal Program
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