Sidoarjo MBG Poisoning: Lab Results Confirm Bacterial Contamination

Laboratory testing of food samples in the mass poisoning case involving the Free Nutritious Meal (MBG) programme in Sidoarjo, East Java, has finally concluded. Out of dozens of parameters tested, one sample was found to be positively contaminated with bacteria.

The poisoning incident previously affected 748 students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and pupils across 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency. They experienced mass poisoning symptoms after consuming MBG meals supplied by the Kalitengah Nutritional Fulfillment Service Unit (SPPG).

The Acting Regional Secretary of Sidoarjo, who also serves as the Chairman of the Sidoarjo MBG Task Force, M. Ainur Rahman, confirmed the findings. He stated that the laboratory results have been reported to the Regent of Sidoarjo.

“The lab results are out and have been reported to the Regent. From the samples examined, some were negative and one was positive for contamination,” Ainund told journalists on Friday (11/9).

Ainur did not disclose the specific type of bacteria or the particular food sample that tested positive. He noted that technical details regarding the examination results would be provided by the relevant authorities, including the Health Office.

Although one sample tested positive for bacteria, Ainur emphasised that this does not yet confirm that the cause of the poisoning stems solely from food factors. The local government is still conducting further investigations to identify the source of the contamination.

“It cannot yet be confirmed whether it is purely due to food factors. There could be many factors, such as water, raw ingredients, or environmental hygiene,” he said.

The laboratory results have also been submitted to the police to support the ongoing investigation. The Sidoarjo Police plan to compare the local government’s laboratory test results with the forensic examination results conducted by the police.

“This has been submitted to the Sidoarjo Police to be cross-referenced with the forensic examination results. We will see later whether this was due to negligence, non-compliance with procedures, or other elements,” he explained.

Following the incident, the kitchen of the Kalitengah SPPG, which supplied the meals to the students, has been temporarily suspended and is no longer operating. Students at the boarding school are temporarily receiving meals from their respective school kitchens, while the distribution of MBG to the 18 affected schools has been halted.

The National Nutrition Agency (BGN) has offered options to redirect food distribution to other SPPG units, but the Sidoarjo Regency Government is still deliberating the proposal.

Ainur emphasised that the Sidoarjo Regency Government is not taking steps to halt the MBG programme entirely. The local government continues to support the programme but has called for a comprehensive evaluation of management, sanitation, and field supervision.

The Sidoarjo Regency Government also noted that 21 SPPG units do not yet possess a Hygiene Sanitation Feasibility Certificate (SLHS). This situation has become a major focus in the evaluation of the MBG implementation in the region.

According to Ainur, the authority to issue the SLHS lies with the local government, while the operational permits for SPPG units fall under the jurisdiction of the BGN.

“The local government can only propose; the operational permit is with the BGN. There are 21 SPPG units that do not have hygiene certificates but are still operating because their operational permits are from the BGN,” he said.

The Sidoarjo Regency Government has proposed that SPPG units that do not meet SLHS requirements be temporarily suspended until these requirements are met. Field supervision will also be strengthened by involving community health centre heads, sub-district heads, and village heads.

“Those that are not eligible should not be operated. We continue to support the MBX programme, but protocols and supervision must be improved. SOPs should not just exist on paper but must be truly implemented in the field,” said Ainur.

Currently, the Sidoarjo Regency Government is awaiting further investigation results from the police to confirm the exact cause of the mass poisoning case.

Previously, hundreds of students at the Manbaul Hikam Islamic Boarding School and pupils in 19 schools in the Kalitengah area, Tanggulangin District, Sidoarjo Regency, were suspected of mass poisoning after consuming Free Nutritious Meals (MBG). They experienced symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and dizziness after consuming the MBG menu produced by the Kalitengah SPPG, which consisted of white rice, scrambled eggs, tempeh in Balinese seasoning, sautéed green beans with baby corn, and apples, on Tuesday (1/9) afternoon.

As of Thursday (4/9) afternoon, the Sidoarjo Regency Health Office recorded that the number of MBG poisoning victims reached 748 people. Twenty individuals are still undergoing hospital treatment, while the remaining 728 have been discharged for outpatient care.