National Nutrition Agency Reveals Cause of Mass Food Poisoning Among Students in Sidoarjo
The Deputy for Monitoring and Supervision of the National Nutrition Agency (Basting), Ketut Sumedana, has revealed the cause behind the food poisoning of hundreds of students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, East Java, after consuming the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) menu. Ketut stated that there was negligence regarding the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for MBG distribution.
“It was due to a lack of discipline in the Nutrition Service Fulfillment Unit (SPPG) and distribution. The procedure should ensure that the loading process is completed within 4 hours, from cooking directly to distribution. However, the reality on the ground was more than 4 hours,” Ketut told reporters on Thursday (3/9/2026).
“That is what caused the poisoning, because these MBG meals do not use preservatives. Therefore, they spoil easily, and bacteria can develop rapidly,” he continued.
Ketut explained that the BGN has established monitoring regulations to be conducted twice daily. These regulations require inspections at 5:00 PM WIB when ingredients arrive and at 2:00 AM WIB during the cooking process.
“Every day, twice a day, we conduct MBG readiness checks, starting at 2:00 AM and then at 5:00 PM. Those are crucial times for ingredient selection; 5:00 PM is when they arrive, and cooking begins at 2:00 AM,” he said.
Despite these regulations, Ketut noted that many officers and heads of the Nutrition Service Fulfillment Units (SPPG) have failed to comply. Additionally, some schools have failed to distribute the MBG meals on time.
“The reality is that in several areas, these individuals—the heads of SPPG, including the PICs, and even some schools—are not distributing the MBG within the established time limits,” he added.
SPPG Suspended
It is reported that hundreds of students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School in Tanggulangin, Sidoarjo, were suspected of food poisoning after consuming the MBG menu. The BGN stated that the number of affected students reached 512.
“Based on the data we received from colleagues conducting field investigations, a total of 512 people were exposed or affected,” Ketut said in his statement on Wednesday (2/9).
Currently, 80 students remain under hospital care. Meanwhile, 312 other students have been discharged and declared recovered.
“About 80 people are still receiving treatment, while 312 people have left the hospital and are declared recovered; however, we are still observing another 120 people,” he noted.
Ketut stated that the BGN has conducted an investigation in collaboration with the relevant health office. The SPPG involved has also been suspended under a heavy category sanction.
“First, we are conducting an investigation alongside the relevant health office, and we will announce the findings regarding the cause of the poisoning once complete,” he said.
“Furthermore, we have imposed a heavy-category suspension of 30 days against the Sidoarjo, Talang Angin SPPG,” he added.