BGN Chief Reveals Cause of Student Food Poisoning in Jayapura: SPPG Cooked Too Early
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has revealed that a food safety incident in the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Papua was caused by the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) starting the cooking process too early. “They started cooking too soon, if I am not mistaken at 7 p.m. or 7.30 p.m. the previous day for meals to be served the following day at 11 a.m., so that is a violation. A similar case occurred in Semarang, Central Java, where they started cooking at 9 p.m. This is a matter of discipline, and we are currently looking for a formula to supervise SPPGs that violate the rules,” said BGN Head Sudaryono during an online press conference in Jakarta on Thursday.
He stressed that if an SPPG is proven to have committed other elements, such as intentional acts or sabotage, the BGN will not hesitate to report it to the police for investigation. “If there is such a case, we will hand everything over. We will not cover it up or defend it, because if it is wrong, why defend it? However, we must also uphold the principle of presumption of innocence. Forgive me, but there was one poisoning case that occurred because the food was taken home,” Sudaryono said.
Therefore, according to him, cases such as MBG meals being taken home are homework for the BGN to continue educating beneficiaries about the importance of food safety. “For example, even if the kitchen did everything correctly, the food was given to students at the appropriate time, 9 or 10 in the morning, and the time from cooking to consumption was correct, but then the student wrapped it up, took it home, and consumed it with other family members. As a result, it was not only the student who suffered poisoning, but also the family members who consumed the food. This is part of our homework, how to educate them,” Sudaryono stated.
It was previously reported that a number of students in Depapre District, Jayapura Regency, Papua, were suspected of suffering food poisoning after consuming MBG meals on Wednesday, 5 August 2026. After receiving treatment at the Jayapura Regional General Hospital (RSUP), eight patients suspected of experiencing the food safety incident gradually improved, with one patient even being allowed to return home.