Borax and E. Coli Found in MBG Menu in Anambas
The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has received test results from the Natuna District Health Office following the food poisoning incident from the free nutritious meal (MBG) programme in the area. Based on those results, the local health office stated that borax and E. coli bacteria were found in the MBG menu.
The BGN Coordinator for Anambas Islands District, Sahril, said that his side would increase supervision after receiving the test results. He stated that the nutrition fulfilment service unit (SPPG) could resume operations after meeting all the required standards. One of the requirements is to renew the hygiene and sanitation fitness certification (SLHS).
The aim, he said, is to ensure that the food poisoning incident due to consuming MBG programme food in the area does not recur. “We also emphasise that SPPG must improve supervision and make improvements in meeting BGN standards,” he said, as quoted from Antara on Monday, 4 May 2026.
He confirmed that on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, an extraordinary event (KLB) in the form of food poisoning occurred among the beneficiaries of the MBG programme in the Air Asuk area. At that time, the Riau Provincial Government along with the local MBG task force conducted an investigation.
A team from the Food Security, Agriculture, and Animal Health Office together with the Riau Islands Provincial Health Office immediately examined the victims’ conditions after suspected poisoning from consuming MBG. At that time, at least 155 poisoning victims were reported from the incident.
To determine the cause of the poisoning, the Anambas Islands District Government conducted testing using a sanitary kit (rapid test) and sent MBG menu samples to the BPOM in Batam for laboratory testing. “The test results from the Natuna District Health Office from leftover food samples contained borax with contamination levels ranging from 100-5,000 milligrams. Meanwhile, the BPOM results found E. coli,” said Sahril.
He explained that the rapid test results were available on 15 April, while the laboratory test results were received on 28 April 2026. However, the exact cause of the contamination of clean water and food menus remains unknown to this day. “The cause will still be further investigated,” he said.