18 Students Collapse After Eating MBG in South Aceh; Police Investigate Suspected Poisoning

South Aceh Police are investigating alleged food poisoning of several students after they consumed MBG meals in Pasie Raja District. ‘The police are investigating allegations of poisoning experienced by several students after eating the MBG program,’ said the Head of Public Relations of the South Aceh Police, Ipda Syarif, quoted on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Earlier, 18 students from early childhood education (PAUD) up to senior high school in Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency, were transported to hospital for medical treatment on Friday afternoon, February 27, 2026. The MBG program meals were consumed by the students and originated from the Nutrition Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG) Gampong Ujung Padang Asahan, Pasie Raja District, South Aceh Regency. The SPPG is managed by Yayasan Ruang Kito Basamo. Syarif said authorities are ensuring that the legal process runs in parallel with medical treatment and technical kitchen evaluations. A police team has also conducted an on-site crime scene investigation. Syarif said the South Aceh Police also ensured that relevant parties are summoned for clarification. The process is being conducted to collect comprehensive statements before drawing legal conclusions. ‘The police will promptly summon relevant parties for clarification and gather statements. If there are any developments in this case, we will report them again,’ Syarif said. Meanwhile, Yona Violiska, Regional Coordinator of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Aceh Selatan Regency, said the operation of the SPPG Ujung Padang Rasian kitchen had been temporarily halted. She stated that the temporary shutdown was carried out after the team visited the SPPG. The findings have been reported up the chain to higher levels. ‘The temporary shutdown of the SPPG Ujung Padang Rasian kitchen will remain until there is an official decision through the national health and nutrition information system, Tauwas Care,’ said Yona Violiska.