Monitoring team strengthens oversight after Tulungagung MBG laboratory results released
The monitoring team for the Free Nutritious Meal Programme (MBG) in Tulungagung is strengthening oversight and evaluation of the service after laboratory test results on food samples that caused mass poisoning from the Pakisrejo SPPG came back positive for bacterial contamination that causes digestive disorders.
Sri Wahyuni, a member of the Tulungagung MBG Task Force, said on Monday that the laboratory examination results showed bacterial contamination in a number of food samples previously secured for testing.
“Overall, there were indeed positive bacterial findings from the laboratory test results. These bacteria can cause digestive disorders among beneficiaries,” she said.
According to her, the presence of the bacteria could have been influenced by various factors, ranging from the food processing and distribution to the serving process.
However, she did not specify the type of bacteria found, as the authority to provide technical explanations lies with the medical and laboratory teams.
As a follow-up, the MBG Task Force together with the Environmental Health Inspection (IKL) team has conducted further evaluation of the Pakisrejo SPPG kitchen operations to identify risk factors and strengthen food safety standards.
The inspection results will form the basis for drafting recommendations for improvements to ensure the quality of the MBG service remains maintained and similar incidents do not recur.
“We will push for accelerated regular monitoring and evaluation, including surprise inspections of the SPPG. We are also urging the operators to report immediately should any indication of a similar incident be found,” she said.
Previously, 66 beneficiaries of the MBG programme in Rejotangan Subdistrict, comprising students, toddlers, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, were reported to have suffered digestive disorders after consuming food produced by the Pakisrejo SPPG in late July 2026.
In response to the incident, the monitoring team secured food samples for laboratory testing, whilst the National Nutrition Agency (BGN) temporarily suspended the operations of the Pakisrejo SPPG to support the evaluation and service improvement process.
The government has assured that food safety oversight in the implementation of the MBG programme will continue to be strengthened so that the programme’s benefits in fulfilling public nutrition can run in accordance with established health and food safety standards.