MBG Poisoning Case: DPR Member Highlights SPPG Quantity Targets

Deputy Chairman of Commission IX of the House of Representatives, Yahya Zaini, has highlighted the ongoing cases of food poisoning among beneficiaries due to consuming free nutritious meals (MBG) served by nutrition fulfilment service units (SPPG). He stated that the persistence of MBG poisoning cases indicates very weak oversight by the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) over SPPGs, including the duties and performance of SPPIs responsible for nutritional quality and food safety. “The BGN should focus on quality, not just quantity,” Yahya said on Saturday, 9 May 2026. The quality and quantity referred to by Yahya concern the BGN’s target of building 33,000 SPPGs by the end of 2026. This target aims to reach 82.9 million MBG beneficiaries. According to data on the official BGN website, 27,641 SPPGs have been operational since 6 January 2025 to 9 May 2026. According to Yahya, with tens of thousands of SPPGs already built, the BGN should be able to guarantee food quality. “Food safety requirements such as SPPGs having hygiene and sanitation certificates (SLHS) and wastewater treatment installations (IPAL) must be strictly monitored, not just building SPPGs,” said the Golkar Party politician. Meals from SPPG Pulogebang 15 are suspected of causing hundreds of students in the Cakung area, East Jakarta, to suffer poisoning. The Jakarta Health Department recorded 252 reports from parents to the school, with 188 students accessing health services. “As of now, there are 26 students being treated in several hospitals,” said Head of the Jakarta Health Department Ani Ruspitawati to Tempo on Saturday. She continued that her agency had conducted guidance and supervision of SPPG Pulogebang 15 before this poisoning case occurred. Guidance and supervision were carried out through environmental health inspections (IKL), training for food handlers, and issuance of hygiene and sanitation certificates (SLHS). “IKL has been conducted, and currently the SPPG is in the process of improvement and training for food handlers,” said Ani. Ani explained that her agency has not yet been able to determine the cause and what is contained in the MBG menu that caused this food poisoning. Because, she said, laboratory test results will only be available on Tuesday, 12 May 2026 next week. “However, the suspicion from the physical food comes from the fried tofu wonton dish,” said Ani.