The Head of the Ombudsman RI Central Java Representative, Siti\nFarida, stated that food poisoning cases within the Free Nutritiously\nMeal (MBG) programme constitute a form of maladministration that harms\nbeneficiaries. She asserted that Food Service Providers (SPPG) must take\nresponsibility whenever such incidents occur.<\/p>\n
Farida revealed that the Ombudsman is currently monitoring the\nhandling of suspected MBG poisoning cases that recently took place in\nBawang District, Batang Regency. The number of victims in this\nparticular case has reached approximately 700 people.<\/p>\n
She commended the rapid and excellent response from local community\nhealth centres (Puskesmas) and regional public hospitals (RSUD) in\nproviding medical services to the suspected victims. Samples of the MBG\nmenu suspected of causing the poisoning are also currently undergoing\ntesting at the Health and Calibration Laboratory in Yogyakarta.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, it remains a \u2018homework\u2019 task for the government; if the\nlaboratory results confirm that the MBG was the cause, the\nresponsibility of the managers (SPPG) must be reviewed. There is a\ncollective responsibility for the products released that cause poisoning\namong beneficiaries. This is unavoidable and constitutes\nmaladministration that harms both the public and individuals as\nbeneficiaries,\u201d Farida said in a written statement on Tuesday\n(29\/09\/2026).<\/p>\n
\u201cIf accountability is enforced, it will serve as a form of\nresponsibility for SPPG managers, ensuring that every provider becomes\nmore cautious and adheres to standards when providing MBG to\nbeneficiaries,\u201d Farida added.<\/p>\n
She emphasised that food safety is a critical aspect of the MBG\nprogramme\u2019s implementation. \u201cThis is increasingly important because the\nprogramme\u2019s beneficiaries include diverse groups of people with varying\ncharacteristics and needs, including students, pregnant women,\nbreastfeeding mothers, and toddlers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Farida urged that the laboratory results and evaluations of the MBG\nimplementation process be used as material for improvement to strengthen\noversight and prevention systems. \u201cThis is so that the implementation of\nthe Free Nutritious Meal programme can run according to standards and\nprovide optimal protection to all beneficiaries,\u201d she concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ombudsman-central-java-mbg-poisoning-constitutes-maladministration-sppg-must-take-responsibility-1790693625", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }