November 7, 2025 | 04:28 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) of the Sukoharjo Police Department found that the imported green grapes intended for participants of the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) program were contaminated with cyanide. The discovery was made on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The fruit was detected to contain around 30 milligrams of cyanide per sample. Fortunately, the food had not yet been consumed by the beneficiaries of the MBG program.
The Chief of Sukoharjo Police Resort, Commissioner Adjutant Anggaito Hadi Prabowo, confirmed the finding. "We found green grapes containing approximately 30 milligrams of cyanide," said Anggaito to reporters during a press conference at the Sukoharjo Police Resort in Central Java on Friday, November 7, 2025. "If consumed, it is certainly very dangerous."
The discovery originated from the routine inspection of food raw materials in the kitchen of the Sukoharjo Police Resort's Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit. The inspection consisted of two stages: a physical and organoleptic examination and chemical testing using a rapid test.
According to Anggaito, all food ingredients to be served the next day must undergo these checks. This is in accordance with the standard operating procedure (SOP). "That's the SOP. We request a one-kilogram sample from the supplier, and then conduct a rapid test. If the result is positive for hazardous substances, we immediately stop the distribution and report it," he said.
The rapid test results showed the presence of cyanide in the imported green grapes. The police then reported the finding to the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) and the Sukoharjo Food Agency. "The recommendation is clear: the grapes should not be served in the MBG menu. As a replacement, we use oranges that have been declared safe," said Anggaito.
The Sukoharjo Police Resort is currently tracing the source of the contamination. The investigation is being conducted together with the Police Headquarters, BPOM, and other relevant agencies.
The Head of the Sukoharjo District Food Agency, Endang Tien, suspects that the cyanide contamination occurred during cultivation or storage. However, they are still conducting further investigations. "Cyanide can appear from pesticides or anti-pest spraying in storage warehouses. But this is still under further investigation," said Endang.
He stated that the Food Agency sent fruit samples to the Central Java Provincial Government-owned laboratory in Kartasura for further examination. According to him, laboratory tests are crucial to determine the level and distribution. "Not all parts within a kilogram of fruit necessarily contain cyanide. We need the laboratory test to determine the level and distribution," he said.
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