Anambas Islands Regency sends SPPG Air Asuk food samples to Batam

The Anambas Islands Regency government, Riau Islands Province, has sent food samples from the Air Asuk Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) to Batam city for laboratory testing. Acting Head of the Health, Population Control, and Family Planning Office of Anambas Islands Regency, Feri Oktavia, confirmed from Natuna on Friday that a poisoning case struck 156 residents in Siantan Tengah District on Wednesday (15/4). All victims were initially taken to the Siantan Health Centre and Palmatak Hospital for medical treatment. To determine the cause of the incident, the local Health Office is conducting laboratory tests on the food samples. However, due to limited facilities in the area, the testing is being carried out in Batam city through collaboration with the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM). “The food samples being tested include soy sauce eggs, vegetables, fried tempeh, and water. The results are expected to be available on Monday,” Feri said. Meanwhile, the Public Health Coordinator of the Anambas Islands Health Office, Sofi, stated that of the 156 victims, 149 have been allowed to go home on the same day, while the rest are still undergoing treatment at the health centre and hospital. “The victims come from various groups, starting from kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, to toddlers. On the night of Wednesday (15/4), around 149 people had already returned home,” she said. She explained that the symptoms experienced by the victims include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, weakness, dizziness, diarrhoea, and fever. The school meal menu consists of rice, soy sauce eggs, marinated fried tempeh, and stir-fried vegetables including carrots, green beans, and mustard greens, complemented by longan fruit. Meanwhile, the posyandu menu includes bread, boiled eggs without additional processing, Diamond milk for babies, mung bean milk for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and apple fruit. “The number of portions produced by the SPPG reaches 1,121 portions,” she said.