BGN Denies Toddler's Death in Cianjur Due to MBG Poisoning
A two-year-old toddler in Cianjur died in suspected poisoning, but the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has denied that it was due to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme.
Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik S. Deyang, refuted the rumour that toddler with initials MAB (2) in Cianjur died from MBG poisoning.
“It is not true that the death of the two-year-old baby in Cianjur was due to the MBG Programme,” said Nanik, quoting her statement on Sunday (26/4).
Nanik explained that the MBG food was provided by the Sukasirna 02 Leles Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) to beneficiaries on (14/4) and consumed on the same day. The menu served at that time included soy sauce noodles, omelette, milk, and fruit.
That night and the next morning, the child’s parents provided additional food in the form of apples and formula milk purchased independently outside the MBG programme. Symptoms then appeared two days later, on Thursday (16/4), when the child started vomiting.
She stated that out of a total of 2,174 beneficiaries who received MBG on 14 April, none experienced digestive issues.
“This serves as an indicator that the food distributed was in a safe and fit condition for consumption,” she said.
Nanik added that the deceased last consumed MBG on Tuesday (14/4). Meanwhile, on Wednesday (15/4), the child did not consume MBG because she refused to eat. Symptoms then appeared on Thursday (16/4) around 06:00 in the morning, in the form of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Separately, the father of the deceased, Sahjanudin (41), stated that his child’s death was not related to the MBG Programme.
“I, as the parent of Abdul Bais, state that my child’s death was purely due to illness. It has nothing to do with the MBG kitchen at SPPG Sukasirna 02 Leles,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Cianjur Regency Health Office, West Java, is still awaiting laboratory results to confirm the cause of MAB’s death.
Head of the Cianjur Health Office, Made Setiawan, said he could not yet confirm whether the patient died from poisoning caused by consuming MBG or not.
He stated that they are still awaiting laboratory results regarding the cause of MAB’s death and the poisoning of 63 other toddlers and mothers.
“We are still awaiting laboratory test results to confirm whether the poisoning trigger was from food or other factors. We will announce it immediately after the results come out in about a week,” said Made, as quoted by Antara on Sunday (26/4).
He explained that following the incident, his side also ensured that dozens of poisoning victims received medical treatment and continued to be monitored after being allowed to go home.