BPOM Test Negative; BGN Confirms Student's Death in Bengkulu Utara Not Linked to MBG

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communications and Investigations, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, stressed that Fatih’s death, a student at MIN 2 Bengkulu Utara, was not related to the consumption of the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) menu. The MBG menu for MIN 2 Bengkulu Utara was distributed by the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) Giri Kencana. Fatih had not eaten the MBG menu from SPPG Giri Kencana when he was found unconscious before being taken to hospital, Nanik said in a press statement on Tuesday (3 March 2026). Nanik said that laboratory tests conducted by the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) showed no Escherichia coli bacteria or any other contamination indicators in the MBG samples that were examined. She added that among around 1,800 MBG beneficiaries on that day, Fatih was the only one to experience a health disturbance. “From 1,800 beneficiaries, there are no reports of similar incidents. This is the only case, and medically it was found to have brain haemorrhage,” she emphasised. Nanik explained that information linking the victim’s death to suspected MBG poisoning did not match the on-the-ground facts. Medical investigations showed a brain haemorrhage when the victim underwent imaging or a CT scan at Bhayangkara Hospital. Initially, Fatih received treatment at Lagita Ketahun Hospital. However, that hospital did not provide intensive care but only emergency measures because the victim’s level of consciousness had fallen with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 6, indicating severe brain injury and a risk to life. A number of hospitals in Bengkulu and as far as Padang were contacted, but Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) facilities were full, so the patient was eventually referred to Bhayangkara Hospital. A CT brain scan at the hospital showed a brain haemorrhage. However, Fatih breathed his last around 12 hours after the operation. “BGN expresses deep condolences on Fatih’s death and calls on the public not to speculate and to await official information based on medically and laboratory-tested results that are accountable,” said Nanik.