Sudaryono: SPPG Heads Who Cannot Do the Job Should Just Leave!

The Head of the National Nutrition Agency (BGN), Sudaryono, has stressed that anyone who is unable to carry out the work of managing a Nutrition Service Fulfilment Unit (SPPG) is welcome to leave. This also applies to the heads of SPPG or MBG kitchens.

Sudaryono made the statement while visiting victims of MBG food poisoning at Haji Hospital in Medan on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

He also demanded that every MBG kitchen must not be negligent in maintaining food quality properly.

“There must be no negligence, none at all. Zero tolerance, no negligence allowed, and I ask kitchen heads or anyone who feels they cannot do the job to just leave rather than endanger someone’s life,” said Sudaryono in his statement on Sunday, 16 August 2026.

Sudaryono said the poisoning incident occurred in Karo Regency, North Sumatra, due to negligence in the processing of raw fish ingredients.

Based on a preliminary investigation, some of the fish were not stored in the freezer 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 ingredients were put into the freezer, but around 200 to 300 fish were not put into the freezer and were then left at room temperature for a period of 12 to more than 12 hours,” said Sudaryono.

He assessed that this condition represented a serious form of negligence in food processing. He stressed that there must be no negligence in the provision of MBG food because it concerns the safety of beneficiaries.

Sudaryono said the BGN will tighten the implementation of food safety procedures in all MBG kitchens.

Around 27,000 kitchen heads across Indonesia have been asked to pay special attention to every stage of food processing.

Meanwhile, Sudaryono said the condition of one of the victims being treated in the PICU at Haji Hospital in Medan has begun to gradually improve 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, this 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. No need for two days, if possible one day,” he concluded.