Penajam Bans Third-Party Involvement in Free Nutritious Meals Programme to Prevent Food Poisoning

Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan — The North Penajam Paser district government in East Kalimantan has prohibited the Nutrition Services Unit (SPPG) from involving third parties in providing and managing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme as a precautionary measure against food poisoning.

“SPPGs operating in the area are prohibited from involving third parties so that oversight of the cleanliness and hygiene of MBG menus is better assured to prevent food poisoning,” said Jansje Grace Makisurat, Head of the North Penajam Paser District Health Office, when asked about food poisoning prevention measures on Thursday.

The additional food items sourced from outside suppliers are suspected to be the cause of digestive disturbances affecting 25 student beneficiaries of the MBG programme.

“The MBG menu was distributed by the SPPG in Waru District, managed by the Bakti Benuo Taka Foundation,” she stated.

Following laboratory examination of samples from the MBG menu produced by the Waru District SPPG, two food samples—pudding and another type of food—were found to be contaminated with bacteria suspected of causing the poisoning.

The preliminary suspicion regarding bacterial contamination of the MBG menu is that the food was left exposed to open air for too long and was not properly covered, creating the potential for contamination.

The prohibition on SPPGs or MBG menu kitchens involving third parties stems from the fact that such involvement falls outside the oversight of the North Penajam Paser District Health Office, making it impossible to determine whether the third parties involved had received training in hygienic food handling.

Operations at the Waru District MBG menu kitchen have been temporarily suspended, and the North Penajam Paser District Health Office has not yet issued a Hygiene and Sanitation Compliance Certificate (SLHS) to the SPPG in question.

The North Penajam Paser District Health Office has issued recommendations based on its inspection findings, though decisions on whether to resume kitchen operations ultimately rest with the National Nutrition Agency (BGN). Additionally, there are recommendations for improvements the Waru District SPPG must make, including waste and sewage management. “Therefore, the North Penajam Paser District Health Office has not yet issued the SLHS,” said Jansje Grace Makisurat.