Mass Food Poisoning Victims from Free Nutritious Meal Programme in Sidoarjo Reach 566, 8ly Still Hospitalised
The number of victims suspected of being poisoned by the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo Regency, has continued to rise, reaching 566 people as of Wednesday (2/9).
The Head of the Sidoarjo Regency Health Office, Lakhsmie Herawati Yuwantina, revealed that this figure is a combination of previous patient data and newly identified cases. “531 plus 35. It is approximately 566,” Lakhsmie stated in Sidoarjo.
Lakhsmie noted that the majority of the victims are students from the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School, though students from 19 other educational institutions around Tanggulangin were also affected. They experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness after consuming food from the Kalitengah Tanggulangin Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) on Tuesday (1/9).
Of the total victims, 88 people are still hospitalised in several facilities prepared by the Sidoarjo Regency Government. Lakhsmie stated that the patients’ conditions are currently stable. “In general, those hospitalised are stable. There is no need for concern regarding intensive care; they are in standard inpatient care,” she said.
She added that newly evacuated victims were distributed across available healthcare facilities, including RSUD RT Notopuro, RS Delta Surya, RS Siti Hajar, RS Pusura, RS Aisyiyah, RS Bhayangkara, RS Arafah Anwar, and RS Assakinah Medika.
Meanwhile, 470 victims whose conditions have improved have been discharged. According to Lakhsmie, the decision to discharge patients was based on their individual clinical conditions.
Regarding the response, the Sidoarjo Health Office stated it has activated a health crisis status since the case first emerged. Management is divided into two tracks: field operations and hospital-based care. The Health Office has also mobilised medical personnel, medicines, and equipment to handle the mass casualty event.
The exact cause of the mass poisoning is still under investigation. The Health Office has taken samples of patient vomit and food ingredients from the SPPG for laboratory testing. Lakhsmie explained that laboratory results would take approximately one week. However, she emphasised that the priority is evaluating the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the SPPG kitchen.
“The most important thing is our attitude regarding whether it is proven to be a problem with the processed products or ingredients. Whether the SOP was followed or not. We also need to investigate the timeframe from when the food arrived until it was consumed. This investigation will involve various parties, including BPOM (Indonesian FDA),” she explained.
Separately, the Deputy Coordinator of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) for East Java, Teguh Bayu Wibowo, stated that his team moved to the SPPG site immediately after receiving reports. “We have received direct information and moved to the SPPG. Currently, the SPPG has ceased operations,” Teguh said early Wednesday morning.
He detailed that the Kalitengah Tanggulangin SPPG supplies approximately 2,800 portions of food per day to schools and boarding schools, with about 1,000 portions specifically for the Manbaul Hikam students.
Tegu confirmed that the kitchen supplying the MBG programme has been temporarily suspended by the central BGN following the incident. The duration of this suspension will depend on the results of the evaluation and laboratory tests. “We are currently reporting to the central office; the centre will decide whether the suspension is temporary or permanent,” he concluded.