Deputy Head of BGN Denies Toddler's Death in Cianjur, West Java, Linked to MBG Programme

JAKARTA - The Deputy Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for Public Communication and Investigation, Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, has denied reports that a toddler in Cianjur died due to the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme. “It is not true that the death of the two-year-old baby in Cianjur was caused by the MBG Programme,” Nanik emphasised in a press statement on Monday (27/4/2026). The menu served in the MBG programme at that time included soy sauce noodles, omelette, milk, and fruit. “On that night and the following morning, the child’s parents provided additional food in the form of apples and formula milk purchased independently, outside the MBG programme,” Nanik said. Symptoms only appeared two days later, specifically on 16 April 2026, when the toddler began vomiting. Nanik noted that out of the total 2,174 beneficiaries who received MBG on 14 April 2026, not a single one experienced digestive disturbances. “This serves as an indicator that the food distributed was in safe and consumable condition,” she stressed. On Wednesday, 15 April 2026, the child did not consume MBG because they refused to eat. Symptoms then appeared on Thursday, 16 April 2026, around 06:00 WIB, in the form of vomiting and diarrhoea. BGN conveyed deep condolences over the passing of the 3B beneficiary. “We extend our deepest condolences over the passing of child M. Abdul Bais. May the bereaved family be granted strength and fortitude,” Nanik stated. “I, as the parent of Abdul Bais, state that my child’s death was purely due to illness. It has no connection to the MBG kitchen at SPPG Sukasirna 02 Leles,” the parent said.