BGN Suspends 20 SPPG Units in Banten, with Lebak and Pandeglang Most Affected

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily closed or suspended 20 Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in Banten. Lebak and Pandeglang districts have the highest number of closures.

“As of today, around 20 SPPG have been suspended. The reasons range from lacking wastewater treatment facilities (IPAL), to poor menus, and especially those that go viral—we definitely suspend them. The most are in Pandeglang and Lebak. Lebak has 8, Pandeglang has 7, and the rest are scattered,” said Albertus Doni Dewantoro, Director of Monitoring and Regional Supervision II at BGN, in Serang City on Wednesday (22/4/2026).

Doni stated that each suspended SPPG must promptly improve its Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). They are given about a week to conduct evaluations and fixes.

“If suspended, it’s for one week due to poor menus, while they must complete the deficiencies. For example, if the kitchen does not meet SOP, it must be fixed until it complies with our standards, then it can reopen,” he said.

BGN issues only one severe warning. If violations recur, they will permanently close the MBG Kitchen (Free Nutritious Meals).

“We give one chance. If it happens a second time, we will definitely submit it administratively to the PPK for permanent closure,” he emphasised.

To date, there have been no cases of permanent closure in Banten province.

“Currently, it’s only at the SP2 stage; one more SP3 and we will recommend permanent closure,” he added.

One of the temporarily suspended SPPG is the unit linked to the case of 49 students from MTs Al Inayah in Cilegon who suffered suspected poisoning. BGN is still examining menu samples suspected to be the cause of the incident.

“We are still awaiting lab results, so we can’t speculate. Even if the results are negative, there is still an examination process from the samples we keep in the kitchen,” he said.

“We are also checking the distribution mechanism until it reaches the school, as that takes time. Therefore, we have suspended that kitchen first for total improvements,” Doni continued.