Jakarta – The government has moved quickly and swiftly in responding to the poisoning incidents experienced by a number of students in several regions after consuming food from the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) program. This step is concrete evidence of the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety, quality of food, and health of Indonesian children.
As the main implementer, the Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Dadan Hindayana immediately conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the implementation of the MBG program in various regions. This step is a form of state responsibility in ensuring that all procedures run according to the highest standards.
рMBG program is a long-term investment in the development of the quality of Indonesian human resources (HR). Evaluation is carried out so that its benefits can be felt optimally,с said Dadan Hindayana.
One of the cases that came into the spotlight occurred at the Cianjur Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG), West Java, where 72 students experienced mild poisoning on April 23, 2025. However, all victims received quick and comprehensive treatment from the government, and a new procedure was immediately added, namely that cleaning up leftover food was carried out in the healthy kitchen (SPPG), not at school.
An evaluation was also conducted at SDN 33 Kasipute, Bombana, Southeast Sulawesi, where the alleged decline in food quality was immediately followed up by BGN. The Head of SPPG, Riska Purnama Sari, has publicly apologized and stated her readiness to make comprehensive improvements to support the success of the government’s program.
“We have withdrawn the food suspected of being problematic and coordinated with the local government to ensure that the same thing does not happen again,” said Dadan Hindayana.
Not only that, BGN also showed extraordinary firmness in handling allegations of misappropriation of funds at SPPG Pancoran, Jakarta. In a meeting with the Yayasan Media Berkat Nusantara (MBN) on April 16, 2025, BGN emphasized that the financial management system was based on a secure and transparent virtual account, and stated that no funds were lost.
рBGN will be more selective in choosing partners in the future. We ensure that the entire process is transparent and accountable,с said Dadan Hindayana.
Director of Provision and Distribution of Region II BGN, Sony Sanjaya emphasized that BGN is taking anticipatory steps, also shown by increasing the capacity of volunteer food handlers spread across 1,071 SPPGs throughout Indonesia. Until April 2025, more than 10,300 volunteers have received direct training, demonstrating the government’s high commitment to strengthening the system.
рProviding food for thousands of people requires specialized knowledge and skills. We want volunteers to understand standard operating procedures (SOPs), ethics, and basic food safety science,с explained Sony Sanjaya.
The training materials were also prepared comprehensively and delivered by experts from the Department of Education, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Forestry, and the Center for Drug and Food Control (BBPOM). This shows that the government is synergizing across sectors to ensure the success of MBG in the field.
The Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) Program launched by the Indonesian government on January 6, 2025 is a strategic and visionary step in reducing malnutrition and stunting rates. Its targets include children from pre-school to high school, Islamic boarding school students, toddlers, and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers throughout Indonesia.
With comprehensive SOP evaluation and quick response to every challenge, the government shows responsiveness, responsibility, and real commitment to the people. The MBG program is further strengthened and is certain to run better in the future, supporting the growth and development of Indonesia’s golden generation. [^]
