BGN temporarily halts operations of eight SPPG units in Tulungagung

Tulungagung, East Java (ANTARA) - The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has temporarily halted operations at eight Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) in Tulungagung Regency, East Java, for failing to meet standard operating procedures (SOP). BGN Regional Coordinator for Tulungagung, Sebrina Mahardika, stated in Tulungagung on Sunday that the temporary suspension is part of addressing and evaluating alleged violations, including suspected food poisoning cases and facility unreadiness. “There are currently 116 SPPG kitchens in Tulungagung, but eight of them have been temporarily suspended because they do not meet the standards,” she said. She explained that the eight units consist of one SPPG without a nutrition supervisor, four SPPG related to suspected poisoning cases in the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme, and three others due to inadequate facilities. According to her, for the four kitchens suspected in the poisoning cases, laboratory test results on food samples have been submitted to BGN headquarters for further analysis. “We have sent the laboratory test results to the centre, but they are still in the analysis stage, so we cannot disclose them yet,” she said. BGN, she continued, requires all suspended kitchens to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of SOP implementation, including improvements to facilities and infrastructure in line with recommendations from the local Health Department. Additionally, BGN is evaluating the quality of MBG distribution during Ramadan, which had been complained about by the public. “Previous incidents are being used as material for evaluation to improve menu quality, facilities and infrastructure, and human resources moving forward,” she said. Sebrina added that in 2025, BGN will focus on expanding the number of SPPG kitchens, while in 2026, it will aim to enhance overall service quality.