Parliament Grills BPOM Head Over MBG Food Poisoning Incidents

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The leadership of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), Charles Honoris, grilled the Head of the National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM), Taruna Ikrar, during a Hearing with Opinions (RDP) broadcast on the Parliament TV channel on Monday (20/4/2026).

He sought explanations regarding the oversight of food safety in the Nutrition Fulfilment Service Units (SPPG) under the free nutritious meals programme.

“Actually, today I want to demand accountability from Mr Head of BPOM because in the previous meeting, BPOM should have been assigned to conduct oversight related to food safety in the SPPGs,” Charles said.

He mentioned that in April 2026, which had run for 20 days, nearly 1,000 children had been affected by poisoning due to the MBG programme.

This PDI-Perjuangan politician suspected that BPOM did not have significant involvement in overseeing food safety in the MBG programme.

However, Charles said, in previous meetings, Commission IX had agreed with other agencies that BPOM must be involved in every MBG policy.

“I even stated that if necessary, the SPPG kitchens must have certification from BPOM before being allowed to operate, but it turns out they do not. It’s like chasing targets to establish as many kitchens as possible in the shortest possible time,” he explained.

The allocated budget was only Rp 1.95 trillion, while BPOM’s personnel expenditure consumed 54% of the provided budget.

“This is very unhealthy; this is not good governance. The World Bank guideline states that personnel expenditure should not exceed 20% or even 30%,” he added.

Budget Limitations

BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar stated that the main duties, functions (tupoksi), and authority given by the state to BPOM are very extensive.