Widespread Poisoning, Lax Investigations - Magz TEMPO
Investigations into MBG food poisoning cases have been painfully slow. The state-budget-draining program needs a comprehensive review.
CASES of food poisoning linked to the free nutritious meal (MBG) program in various regions should not end merely with the closure of kitchens or apologies from program operators. Every incident must be thoroughly investigated to establish the causes and identify those responsible.
The latest case occurred in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. A total of 353 students experienced health problems after eating meals prepared by the Karo Berastagi Sempajaya kitchen on Thursday, August 13, 2026. One of the victims, Febi Yona Purba, had to be transferred between hospitals several times. Her family said Febi suffered seizures, difficulty speaking, and memory problems following the incident.
On Monday, August 31, 2026, Febi’s family reported the case to the police. The police have upgraded the case from an inquiry to an investigation. This step should be followed by a swift and transparent examination. Yet for a case involving so many victims and such clearly established events, the process feels excessively slow.
The police must promptly determine the cause of the poisoning and identify those responsible. The backgrounds of MBG kitchen operators must not influence the firmness of law enforcement. If criminal elements are found, anyone responsible must face legal proceedings in accordance with the law.
The Karo case is not an isolated incident. The Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI) recorded 15,735 people suffering food poisoning from MBG meals between January and August 2026. Since the program began in 2025, the total has reached 43,838 people across 36 provinces. Central Java accounted for approximately 35 percent of cases in August 2026.
The large number of victims should prompt the police to investigate the issue more thoroughly, rather than focusing on the mistakes of kitchen workers. The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) itself stated that 80 to 90 percent of food poisoning cases are linked to noncompliance with standard operating procedures, including food storage, goods receiving, temperature control, and consumption times.
Investigations must therefore not stop at field-level workers if the problems involve decisions or negligence at higher levels. The inquiry should cover the entire MBG delivery chain, from food procurement and storage to preparation, distribution, and supervision.
The government already has food safety standards in place. BGN requires nutrition fulfillment service units to meet hygiene and sanitation requirements and possess hygiene and sanitation eligibility certificates. Yet many kitchens still fail to meet these requirements. On Wednesday, September 16, 2026, BGN temporarily suspended operations at 1,276 SPPG units for failing to comply with the regulations.
These facts show that the problem is not simply the absence of regulations, but also weak implementation and oversight. The government needs to conduct a comprehensive review of MBG, which consumes an average of nearly Rp1 trillion in public funds every day. A critical and objective assessment must cover the program’s design, costs, governance, oversight, and benefits.
Closing problematic kitchens must not replace legal proceedings. The police must ensure that food poisoning cases do not end as mere reports. Children must not become victims of weak oversight and delayed accountability. If the government cannot ensure that a program as costly as MBG is safe, effective, and accountable, it should have the courage to suspend it.
