Students Suffer Food Poisoning from Free Nutritious Meals in Karo After Fish Left Unrefrigerated for 12 Hours

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has revealed that the suspected food poisoning incident involving the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, was caused by negligence in the processing of raw fish ingredients.

Based on a preliminary investigation, some of the fish were not stored in freezers and were left at room temperature for 12 hours or more.

“We tried to check the preliminary investigation. So, the negligence was in the processing. Most of the raw fish was put into the freezer, but around 200 to 300 fish were not placed in the freezer and were instead left at room temperature for a period of 12 to more than 12 hours,” said Sudaryono while visiting victims at Haji Medan Hospital on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

He assessed that this condition constitutes a serious form of negligence in food processing. He stressed that no negligence is permissible in the provision of MBG meals because it concerns the safety of beneficiaries.

“There must be no negligence, none at all. Zero tolerance, no carelessness, and I am asking the head of the kitchen or anyone who feels they cannot do the job to just leave rather than endanger someone’s life,” he said.

He said the BGN will tighten the implementation of food safety procedures across all MBG kitchens. Approximately 27,000 kitchen heads throughout Indonesia have been asked to pay special attention to every stage of food processing.

Meanwhile, Sudaryono noted that the condition of one victim being treated in the PICU at Haji Medan Hospital has gradually improved after three days of treatment. However, the patient still requires intensive care.

He expressed hope that the victim’s condition will recover soon so that they can be moved from the PICU to a regular ward.

“The condition (of the victim) here has been two days, today is the third day. According to reports, it has improved. So, compared to when they first came in, yesterday and today, it is better. But they are still in the ICU. I hope they can truly improve within one to two days. It doesn’t need to be two days, if possible one day,” he concluded.